Blood Folate, Vitamin B12, and Their Relationships With Cerebrospinal Fluid Monoamine Metabolites, Depression, and Personality in Suicide Attempters

This study investigated folate, vitamin B12, & serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid deficiencies in depressed psychiatric patients in a Swedish hospital. Blood from 107 suicide attempters was analyzed for these elements. In suicide attempters without folate or B12 deficiency, blood folate & serum B12 showed no relationship with depression. The authors assert that they could not replicate the high prevalence of folate or B12 deficiency previously reported for psychiatric patients. Possible reasons for the negative findings are discussed. (35 refs) (SC)