Cerebral Folate Deficiency: An Overlooked Driver of Anxiety, OCD, & Cognitive Symptoms
Presented by Dr. Nancy O'Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP and NeuroBiologix
Cerebral folate deficiency (CFD)—a condition where folate levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are low despite normal blood levels- is an often overlooked driver of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, memory challenges, and OCD.
While frequently underrecognized, particularly in infection-triggered illness, emerging research suggests CFD may play a key role in the neurological and psychiatric symptoms seen in many patients.
In this presentation, we’ll explore the biology of CFD, its clinical implications, and practical strategies for identification and support—including testing for folate receptor autoantibodies and genetic SNPs, the potential role of dairy elimination, and the therapeutic use of high-dose folinic acid.
Join us to learn how recognizing and addressing CFD may open new pathways for supporting patients with complex neuropsychiatric symptoms.
In This Presentation We Explore:
- The biology and clinical implications of CFD: How cerebral folate deficiency drives neuropsychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and OCD, and why it is frequently under-recognized, particularly in infection-triggered illness
- How to identify CFD: Practical diagnostic strategies including testing for folate receptor auto-antibodies and genetic SNPs to uncover deficiency that standard blood work may miss.
- Treatment and support approaches: The potential role of dairy elimination and high-dose folinic acid in addressing CFD and opening new pathways for patients with complex neuropsychiatric symptoms.
About Dr. Nancy O'Hara
Dr. Nancy O'Hara is a board-certified pediatrician and leading functional medicine practitioner with over 24 years of experience specializing in treating children with complex neurodevelopmental disorders, PANS/PANDAS, and Lyme disease. She is a member of the NeuroBiologix Medical Advisory Board.