Vitamin b₁₂ deficiency and depression in the elderly: review and case report.

To the Editor: Vitamin B is a water-soluble essential vitamin. A member of vitamin B complex, vitamin B is also called cobalamin because it contains the metal cobalt. Vitamin B is synthesized by bacteria and is found mainly in meat, egg, and dairy products but lacks a reliable plant source. It is essential for the formation of red blood cells and maintenance of a healthy nervous system as well as for the rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division. It is believed that B along with folic acid may help prevent disorders of central nervous system development, mood disorders, and dementias. Megaloblastic anemia is the common and serious illness associated with B deficiency, but it is believed that a mild decrease in the B level is associated with neurologic and psychiatric problems such as ataxia or mood disturbances.