Encephalopathy due to folate deficiency (Q85626)

The reported neuropsychiatric effects of folate deficiency are remarkably similar to those described for vitamin-B12 deficiency, though the metabolism of vitamin-B12 and folic-acid differ. More patients with neuropsychiatric complications of folate deficiency present without anaemia or macrocytosis than occurs with vitamin-B12 deficiency. The cause of folate deficiency has been variously ascribed to poor diet, chronic illness, drug use (e.g., barbiturates, alcohol), malabsorption, increased demand, rare and specific genetic syndromes or the cause is unknown.