Abstract
RBC and serum folate were determined in 20 schizophrenic patients not taking neuroleptic drugs, 63 treated with neuroleptic drugs, and 41 healthy control subjects. the results showed significantly lower concentrations of folate in both RBC and serum in patients who were being treated with neuroleptics compared with those not being treated. Although not significant, lower levels of folate were found in patients who were on more than one drug than in those given a single medication. Moreover, patients who were ‘actively ill’ had lower levels of RBC and serum folate compared to those who were ‘fairly well‘. This was true for both neuroleptic-treated as well as untreated patients. in the neuroleptic-treated group, patients who were ill for 2 years and more had significantly lower concentrations of both RBC and serum folate than more recently ill patients. Although not significant a slow decline in RBC and serum folate was seen with the increasing chronicity of illness in the neuroleptic-free group. Even with comparable chronicity of illness, significant differences were found between neuroleptic-free and neuroleptic-treated patients. As expected, a significant correlation was found between RBC and serum folate in all the three groups studied. This study suggests that folate deficiency does not cause schizophrenia, but the severity of the disease, the chronicity of the disease as well as the medication given to treat it lead to folate deficiency. It is proposed that folate supplements should be given to such patients together with their other medications.