Psychic symptoms in vitamin B12-deficiency with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord
Fröscher, W.
Fortschritte der Neurologie Psychiatrie und Ihrer Grenzgebiete 42(2): 53-75
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-8194 PMID: 4495111 Document Number: 81801
The literature on mental changes associated with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord and with vitamin B-12 deficiency is reviewed. In addition 36 patients are described of whom 26 had psychic symptoms, most commonly lack of spontaneity, depression, disturbance of mnestic function and affective lability or affective incontinence. The frequency of these disorders increased with the duration of the deficiency but not all the mental symptoms seemed to depend on the vitamin deficiency. It was not possible to relate the psychiatric and neurological to the medical findings, blood picture, electroencephalogram and cerebrospinal fluid changes. It was concluded that in patients with mental symptoms of unknown origin it is important to exclude vitamin B-12 deficiency.