The Use of Nicotinic Acid and Pyridoxine in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Abstract

As part of the Canadian Mental Health Association Collaborative Study, the hypothesis that combined administration of nicotinic acid and pyridoxine has greater therapeutic effects than the component drugs in chronic schizophrenic patients was tested. This could not be substantiated in a 48-week study in which supplementation of neuroleptic treatment with a single vitamin, i.e., nicotinic acid or pyridoxine, produced significant therapeutic changes, while supplementation with both vitamins did not.

Diseases Associated with Defects in Vitamin B6 Metabolism or Utilization

“…Defects in vitamin B6 metabolism may contribute to some types of neurolog ical abnormalities (19, 87,89,93,119,123, for examples), because of the involvement of PLP in numerous key pathways of neural function (namely neurotransmitter synthesis, amino acid metabolism, sphingolipid biosynthe sis, and degradation) (24). Vitamin B6 deficiencies have multiple neurolog ical effects (16, 24); however, a cause-and-effect link between defective vitamin B6 metabolism and neurological disorders has not been proven.…”

Natural Medicines for Psychotic Disorders

“…B1 showed some positive effect on general psychopathology (when combined with B6 and B12) in one study ( Joshi, 1982 ) and on positive and negative symptoms in another ( Sacks et al, 1989 ). B3 showed improved general psychopathology in three (from nine) studies ( Ananth et al, 1972 , 1973 ; Petrie et al, 1981 ). B6 improved general psychopathology in four (from five) studies ( Ananth et al, 1973 ; Lerner et al, 2004 ; Miodownik et al, 2006 ; Petrie et al, 1981 ).…”

“…B3 showed improved general psychopathology in three (from nine) studies ( Ananth et al, 1972 , 1973 ; Petrie et al, 1981 ). B6 improved general psychopathology in four (from five) studies ( Ananth et al, 1973 ; Lerner et al, 2004 ; Miodownik et al, 2006 ; Petrie et al, 1981 ). In one study, general psychopathology improved after the administration of methylfolate ( Godfrey et al, 1990 ).…”

“…Nineteen RCTs on B vitamins added to antipsychotics ( Ananth et al, 1972 , 1973 ; Deutsch et al, 1977 ; Godfrey et al, 1990 ; Hill et al, 2011 ; Joshi, 1982 ; Kline et al, 1967 ; Lerner et al, 2001 , 2002 , 2004 , 2007 ; Levine et al, 2006 ; McGrath et al, 1972 ; Meltzer et al, 1969 ; Miodownik et al, 2006 ; Petrie et al, 1981 ; Ramsay et al, 1970 ; Roffman et al, 2013 ; Sacks et al, 1989 ; Wittenborn et al, 1973 ) and one on B3 without antipsychotics ( Greenbaum 1970 ) were found. B1 showed some positive effect on general psychopathology (when combined with B6 and B12) in one study ( Joshi, 1982 ) and on positive and negative symptoms in another ( Sacks et al, 1989 ).…”