[Folate deficiency and neurologic disorders]

Estimation of serum folate was carried out in 74 patients with various neurological disorders. Levels less than normal were detected in 63 of them, with mainly peripheral neuritis, cerebellar syndromes and/or psychological disorders. The role of certain etiological factors was demonstrated, e.g. alcoholism, malnutrition, diarrhea, anti-epileptic treatment. Links between these neurological disorders and the folate deficiency remain to be demonstrated. In at least 8 cases, treatment with folic acid seems to have had a favourable influence on the course of these disorders.