Schizophrenia-like psychotic episode precipitated by cobalamin deficiency

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2009 Nov-Dec;31(6):586-8. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2009.02.003. Epub 2009 Mar 27.

Abstract

Although cobalamin deficiency is widely known and usually presents with hematologic and neuropsychiatric manifestations, the psychiatric symptoms are not usually the predominant manifestation. We describe a young single male vegetarian who developed a cobalamin-induced psychotic episode without preceding neurologic manifestations and without any hematologic symptoms. He recovered after a short course of antipsychotics and oral cobalamin supplementation and remained asymptomatic and functionally independent at 1 year of follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Delusions / diagnosis
  • Delusions / drug therapy
  • Delusions / etiology
  • Diet, Vegetarian / adverse effects
  • Diet, Vegetarian / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / etiology*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Vitamin B 12 / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / diagnosis

Substances

  • Vitamin B 12