RCT: Folate plus vitamin B12 supplementation in schizophrenia

Source: JAMA Psychiatry Area: News This Phase III randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of folate and vitamin B12 supplementation on negative symptoms of schizophrenia in adult patients with chronic schizophrenia. Negative symptoms have previously been associated with reduced blood folate levels, especially among patients with low-functioning variants in genes that regulate folate metabolism, suggesting the potential utility of folate supplementation. One hundred and forty patients were randomised to 16 weeks treatment with either folic acid 2mg with 400 microgram vitamin B12 or placebo. The main outcome measure was the change in negative symptoms (according to the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms [SANS]), as well as positive and total symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale). The authors were also interested in whether functional variants in folate-related genes influence treatment response.   The authors reported the following results: . Folate plus vitamin B12 ...
Source: NeLM - Mental Health - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: news