The Claim
In adults with chronic schizophrenia on stable risperidone, supplementation with vitamin B12 alone, folic acid alone, or their combination results in similar reductions in negative symptoms, with no statistically significant difference between the active treatment groups.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In adults with chronic schizophrenia taking risperidone, taking vitamin B12 alone, folic acid alone, or both together leads to the same level of reduction in negative symptoms, with no meaningful difference between the three approaches.
See the scientific wording
In adults with chronic schizophrenia on stable risperidone, supplementation with vitamin B12 alone, folic acid alone, or their combination produces similar reductions in negative symptoms, with no statistically significant difference between active treatment groups, suggesting either vitamin alone may be sufficient for clinical benefit.
Taking vitamin B12 or folic acid increases the body's ability to process methyl groups, which turns on genes in the front part of the brain that control motivation and emotion, and calms down abnormal dopamine signals that cause emotional numbness and lack of drive.
What the research says
1 studyIn people with long-term schizophrenia on antipsychotics, taking just vitamin B12 or just folic acid helped reduce emotional numbness and lack of motivation just as much as taking both together — and both were much better than taking nothing.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.