Vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine levels in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Abstract

It is known that elevated serum homocysteine, decreased folate, and low vitamin B12 serum levels are associated with poor cognitive function, cognitive decline, and dementia. Current literature shows that some psychiatric disorders, mainly affective and psychotic ones, can be related to the levels of vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine. These results can be explained by the importance of vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine in carbon transfer metabolism (methylation), which is required for the production of serotonin as well as for other monoamine neurotransmitters and catecholamines. Earlier studies focused on the relationship between folate deficiency, hyperhomocysteinemia, and depressive disorders. Although depressive and anxiety disorders show a common comorbidity pattern, there are few studies addressing the effect of impaired one-carbon metabolism in anxiety disorders – especially in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aimed to measure the levels of vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine specifically in order to see if eventual alterations have an etiopathogenetic significance on patients with OCD. Serum vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine concentrations were measured in 35 patients with OCD and 22 controls. In addition, the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety were conducted for each patient. It was found that vitamin B12 levels were decreased and homocysteine levels were increased in some OCD patients. Homocysteine levels were positively correlated with Yale–Brown compulsion and Yale–Brown total scores. In conclusion, findings of this study suggest that some OCD patients might have vitamin B12 deficiency and higher homocysteine levels.

Associations between serum homocysteine levels and anxiety and depression among children and adolescents in Taiwan

“…Similarly, Türksoy et al . 25 reported that patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder might have higher homocysteine levels; however, the patient and control groups predominantly comprised female patients (88.6% and 86.4%, respectively). One possible mechanism underlying the link between homocysteine and anxiety may be related to brain oxidative status.…”

<p>Comparison of serum B12, folate and homocysteine concentrations in children with autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and healthy controls</p>

“…In case of deficiencies, there is a decrease in re-methylation of homocysteine, which leads to an increase in homocysteine level 6. Reflecting their importance in CNS metabolism, previous studies reported that deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate levels, as well as changes in homocysteine, might be related with depression, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, an obsessive-compulsive disorder 7–9. Recently, some studies have reported deficiencies in the levels of vitamins B12 and folate (vitamin B9) in patients diagnosed with ASD and ADHD as well as beneficial effects of those vitamins for some of the associated ASD and ADHD symptoms 10–12.…”

Levels of Serum Folate and Cobalamine in Clinically Depressed Patients in North Indian Population

“…Similarly in our study vitamin B12 was found lower in concentration, 208.14 (P=0.004) in cases of 44 patients (test group) as compared to control group. [13] There are few cases available in literature in which vitamin B12 deficiency has been directly found associated with clinical depression. In one such case reported by Durand C of a patient with vitamin B12 deficiency, who presented severe depression with delusion and Capgras' syndrome, delusion with lability of mood and hypomania successively, during a period of two Months.…”