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Review| Volume 29, ISSUE 9, P931-941, May 01, 1991

Niacin and vitamin B6 in mental functioning: A review of controlled trials in humans

  • Jos Kleijnen
    Correspondence
    Address reprint requests to J. Kleijnen, M.D., Department of Epidemiology/Health Care Research, University of Limburg, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
    Affiliations
    Department of Epidemiology/Health Care Research, University of Limburg, The Netherlands
    Search for articles by this author
  • Paul Knipschild
    Affiliations
    Department of Epidemiology/Health Care Research, University of Limburg, The Netherlands
    Search for articles by this author
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(91)90060-Y
Niacin and vitamin B6 in mental functioning: A review of controlled trials in humans
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      Abstract

      Fifty-three controlled trials of the effects of niacin, vitamin B6, and multivitamins on mental functions are reviewed. The results are interpreted with emphasis on the methodological quality of the trials. It turns out that virtually all trials show serious shortcomings: in the number of participants, the presentation of baseline characteristics and outcomes, and the description of changes in concomitant treatments. Only in autistic children are some positive results are found with very high dosages of vitamin B6 combined with magnesium, but further evidence is needed before more definitive conclusions can be drawn. For many other indications (hyperactive children, children with Down's syndrome, IQ changes in healthy schoolchildren, schizophrenia, psychological functions in healthy adults and geriatric patients) there is no adequate support from controlled trials in favor of vitamin supplementation.
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      Article info

      Publication history

      Received in revised form: November 2, 1990
      Received: September 10, 1990

      Footnotes

      ☆This work was supported by a grant of the Dutch Ministry of Welfare, Public Health and Cultural Affairs (Project 87-35).

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(91)90060-Y

      Copyright

      © 1991 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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