vitamin-b-12 and Depressive-Disorder--Major

Depression is one of the leading health problems, and >300 million people have a major depressive disorder and this number is getting increasing. Depression complicates the management of existing chronic diseases and the management of complications that may arise. A person's mental state can affect their food preferences, and food preferences can also affect their mental state. In this paper, depression and eating behavior, diet quality, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, zinc and copper, prebiotics and probiotics are discussed. Research on the subject emphasizes that diet quality may also affect the occurrence of depression. However, studies also indicated that dietary nutrients such as folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and magnesium might be associated with the risk of depression.

Topics: Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diet; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Folic Acid; Humans; Magnesium; Selenium; Vitamin B 12; Vitamins; Zinc

We review the findings in major depression of a low plasma and particularly red cell folate, but also of low vitamin B12 status. Both low folate and low vitamin B12 status have been found in studies of depressive patients, and an association between depression and low levels of the two vitamins is found in studies of the general population. Low plasma or serum folate has also been found in patients with recurrent mood disorders treated by lithium. A link between depression and low folate has similarly been found in patients with alcoholism. It is interesting to note that Hong Kong and Taiwan populations with traditional Chinese diets (rich in folate), including patients with major depression, have high serum folate concentrations. However, these countries have very low life time rates of major depression. Low folate levels are furthermore linked to a poor response to antidepressants, and treatment with folic acid is shown to improve response to antidepressants. A recent study also suggests that high vitamin B12 status may be associated with better treatment outcome. Folate and vitamin B12 are major determinants of one-carbon metabolism, in which S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is formed. SAM donates methyl groups that are crucial for neurological function. Increased plasma homocysteine is a functional marker of both folate and vitamin B12 deficiency. Increased homocysteine levels are found in depressive patients. In a large population study from Norway increased plasma homocysteine was associated with increased risk of depression but not anxiety. There is now substantial evidence of a common decrease in serum/red blood cell folate, serum vitamin B12 and an increase in plasma homocysteine in depression. Furthermore, the MTHFR C677T polymorphism that impairs the homocysteine metabolism is shown to be overrepresented among depressive patients, which strengthens the association. On the basis of current data, we suggest that oral doses of both folic acid (800 microg daily) and vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) should be tried to improve treatment outcome in depression.

Topics: Brain; Depressive Disorder, Major; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Homocysteine; Humans; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Nutritional Status; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

An important biological factor suggested in the pathophysiology of (recurrent) Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) concerns a polymorphism in a gene encoding for the MTHFR-enzyme of the one-carbon (1-C)-metabolism. Integratively investigating key 1-C-components (folate, homocysteine, vitamin B6 and B12), including the possible effects of antidepressant medication and depressive state, could provide more insight in the possible association between the MTHFR-polymorphism and recurrent MDD.. We compared the MTHFR C677T-polymorphism together with the key 1-C-components in clinically ascertained patients with recurrent MDD (n=137) to age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n=73).. First, patients had lower folate (t=2.25; p=.025) as compared to controls; a difference that resolved after correction for demographics (t=1.22; p=.223). Second, patients that were depressed during sampling had lower vitamin B6 (t=-2.070; p=.038) and higher homocysteine (t=2.404; p=.016) compared to those in remission. Finally, current use of antidepressants had no influence on the 1-C-components.. Despite investigation of a specific recurrently depressed patient population, we found no clear associations with the 1-C-cycle, except for higher homocysteine and lower vitamin B6 during the depressed state. This suggests that 1-C-cycle alterations in MDD are state-associated, possibly resulting from high levels of acute (psychological) stress, and may provide a treatment target to reduce cardiovascular risk in this population.

Topics: Adult; Antidepressive Agents; Carbon; Case-Control Studies; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic; Recurrence; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6

Depression is common and the efficacy of antidepressants is suboptimal. High plasma homocysteine has been consistently associated with depression, and treatment with certain B vitamins demonstrably reduces its concentration.. To determine whether vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid enhance response to antidepressant treatment over 52 weeks.. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of citalopram (20-40 g) together with 0.5 mg of vitamin B12, 2 mg of folic acid and 25 mg of vitamin B6 for 52 weeks (Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: 12609000256279). Participants were community-dwelling adults aged 50 years or over with DSM-IV-TR major depression. We measured severity of symptoms with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). The primary outcome was remission of the depressive episode after 12, 26 and 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included reduction of MADRS scores over time and relapse of major depression after recovery by week 12. Results In total, 153 people were randomised (76 placebo, 77 vitamins). Remission of symptoms was achieved by 78.1 and 79.4% of participants treated with placebo and vitamins by week 12 (P = 0.840), by 76.5 and 85.3% at week 26 and 75.8 and 85.5% at week 52 (effect of intervention over 52 weeks: odds ratio (OR) = 2.49, 95% CI 1.12-5.51). Group differences in MADRS scores over time were not significant (P = 0.739). The risk of subsequent relapse among those who had achieved remission of symptoms at week 12 was lower in the vitamins than placebo group (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.12-0.94).. B vitamins did not increase the 12-week efficacy of antidepressant treatment, but enhanced and sustained antidepressant response over 1 year. Replication of these findings would mandate that treatment guidelines adopt the adjunctive use of B vitamins as a safe and inexpensive strategy to manage major depression in middle-aged and older adults.

Topics: Aged; Antidepressive Agents; Citalopram; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Drug Monitoring; Drug Synergism; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Remission Induction; Secondary Prevention; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamins

Folic acid, a micronutrient supporting the natural defense system, may elevate antidepressant responses, although the lymphocyte serotonergic system has not been explored in folate-supplemented depressed patients.. Twenty-seven patients were randomly assigned to groups receiving fluoxetine (20 mg) and folic acid (10 mg/day) or fluoxetine and placebo for 6 weeks. Clinical outcome was assessed according to the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) at the beginning, during and at the end of treatment. Blood samples were taken, plasma was separated, and lymphocytes were obtained by density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll/Hypaque and differential adhesion to plastic dishes. Fifteen healthy subjects served as controls. Plasma folate, homocysteine and vitamin B12, and serotonin concentration in lymphocytes were determined by HPLC. The HDRS score was significantly lower in patients receiving fluoxetine and folic acid compared with those receiving fluoxetine and placebo after 6 weeks of treatment (7.43 +/- 1.65 vs. 11.43 +/- 1.31, respectively; p = 0.04). Plasma homocysteine statistically significant decreased after folic acid (p = 0.02), but no significant changes were observed in vitamin B12.. Serotonin was significantly reduced after fluoxetine either with folate (p = 0.03) or placebo (p = 0.01) probably by the effect of transporter blockade. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid was lower in lymphocytes of patients receiving folate (p = 0.04), indicating a reduced turnover rate, thus accumulating serotonin in the cells. A significant negative correlation was noted between homocysteine and folate. No significant correlations were present among biochemical parameters and depression severity.. Modifications due to treatment with fluoxetine and folic acid may alter lymphocyte function in depression probably indirectly by reducing homocysteine levels and directly on lymphocytes by modifying the serotonergic system.

Topics: Adult; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Depressive Disorder, Major; Down-Regulation; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluoxetine; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Lymphocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Serotonin; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex; Young Adult

The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels and the timing of clinical improvement to fluoxetine in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. A total of 110 outpatients with MDD who responded to an 8-wk trial of fluoxetine had serum folate, B12, and homocysteine measurements at baseline (prior to fluoxetine initiation). Onset of clinical improvement was defined as a 30% decrease in Hamilton Depression Scale scores that led to a 50% decrease by week 8. Patients with low folate levels (0.05). In conclusion, low serum folate levels were found to be associated with a delayed onset of clinical improvement during treatment with fluoxetine in MDD by, on average, 1.5 wk.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Fluoxetine; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12

A consistent finding in major depression has been a low plasma and red cell folate which has also been linked to poor response to antidepressants. The present investigation was designed to investigate whether the co-administration of folic acid would enhance the antidepressant action of fluoxetine.. 127 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 500 microg folic acid or an identical looking placebo in addition to 20 mg fluoxetine daily. All patients met the DSM-III-R criteria for major depression and had a baseline Hamilton Rating Scale (17 item version) score for depression of 20 or more. Baseline and 10-week estimations of plasma folate and homocysteine were carried out.. Patients receiving folate showed a significant increase in plasma folate. This was less in men than in women. Plasma homocysteine was significantly decreased in women by 20.6%, but there was no significant change in men. Overall there was a significantly greater improvement in the fluoxetine plus folic acid group. This was confined to women where the mean Hamilton Rating Scale score on completion was 6.8 (S.D. 4. 1) in the fluoxetine plus folate group, as compared to 11.7 (S.D. 6. 7) in the fluoxetine plus placebo group (P<0.001).A percentage of 93. 9 of women, who received the folic acid supplement, showed a good response (>50% reduction in score) as compared to 61.1% of women who received placebo supplement (P<0.005). Eight (12.9%) patients in the fluoxetine plus folic acid group reported symptoms possibly or probably related to medication, whereas in the fluoxetine plus placebo group 19 (29.7%) patients reported such symptoms (P<0.05).. Folic acid is a simple method of greatly improving the antidepressant action of fluoxetine and probably other antidepressants. Folic acid should be given in doses sufficient to decrease plasma homocysteine. Men require a higher dose of folic acid to achieve this than women, but more work is required to ascertain the optimum dose of folic acid.

Topics: Adult; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; Depressive Disorder, Major; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluoxetine; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Sex Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12

Major depressive disorder is among main worldwide causes of disability. The low medication compliance rates in depressed patients as well as the high recurrence rate of the disease can bring up the nutrition-related factors as a potential preventive or treatment agent for depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression via the intermediary role of the serum folate and vitamin B12, total homocysteine, tryptophan, and tryptophan/competing amino acids ratio.. This was an individually matched case-control study in which 110 patients with depression and 220 healthy individuals, who completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were recruited. We selected the depressed patients from three districts in Tehran through non-probable convenience sampling from which healthy individuals were selected, as well. The samples selection and data collection were performed during October 2012 to June 2013. In addition, to measure the serum biomarkers 43 patients with depression and 43 healthy people were randomly selected from the study population. To diagnose depression the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, were utilized.. The findings suggest that the healthy dietary pattern was significantly associated with a reduced odds of depression (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.93) whereas the unhealthy dietary pattern increased it (OR: 1.382, CI: 1.116-1.71). The mediation analysis showed that the healthy dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of depression via increased serum levels of the folate and vitamin B12; however, the unhealthy dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of depression via decreased serum levels of folate and vitamin B12, based on tree adjusted logistic regression models.. Dietary patterns may be associated with depression by changing the serum levels of folate and vitamin B12. Further studies are required to confirm the mechanism.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Iran; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Tryptophan; Vitamin B 12; Young Adult

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective treatment options for refractory depressed patients. To date, there are only a few predictors of response.. The aim was to identify predictive biomarkers of remission to ECT on a molecular level.. 11 patients suffering from a major depressive episode-according to the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)-underwent 10 ECT sessions. Blood samples were taken, and the depression severity was assessed before, one hour and 24 hours after sessions 1, 4, 7, and 10 using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). A MADRS total score < 12 was interpreted as remission.. Patients remitting under ECT had significantly higher homocysteine (. Our findings indicate that lower levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid associated with higher levels of homocysteine, S100B, and PCT point to a subgroup of depressed patients sensitive to ECT. Due to the limited sample size, further studies are required to replicate our findings.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Calcitonin; Depressive Disorder, Major; Electroconvulsive Therapy; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Remission Induction; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12

Oxidative stress induced interactions between fatty acid (FA) and one-carbon metabolism may be involved in co-occurrence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which have been scarcely studied together. In 137 recurrent MDD-patients vs. 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, we simultaneously measured key components of one-carbon metabolism in plasma (homocysteine, folate, vitamins B6 and B12), and of FA-metabolism in red blood cell membranes [main polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA) and structural FA-indices (chain length, unsaturation, peroxidation)]. Results show significant positive associations of folate with EPA, DHA, and the peroxidation index, which were similar in patients and controls. After correction for confounders, these associations were lost except for EPA. Associations between B-vitamins and FA-parameters were non-significant, but also similar in patients and controls. Homocysteine and DHA were significantly less negatively associated in patients than in controls. In conclusion, these data indicate similarities but also differences in associations between parameters of one-carbon and FA-metabolism in recurrent MDD patients vs. controls, which may reflect differences in handling of oxidative stress. Further research should test the consequences of these differences, particularly the premature development of CVD in MDD.

Topics: Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases; Comorbidity; Depressive Disorder, Major; Erythrocytes; Fatty Acids; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Recurrence; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin B Complex

Deficiencies in both vitamin B12 and folate have been associated with depression. Recently, higher baseline vitamin B12 levels were observed in individuals with bipolar depression who responded to the antidepressant ketamine at 7 days post-infusion. This study sought to -replicate this result by correlating peripheral vitamin levels with ketamine's antidepressant efficacy in bipolar depression and major depressive disorder (MDD).. Baseline vitamin B12 and folate levels were obtained in 49 inpatients with treatment-resistant MDD and 34 inpatients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression currently experiencing a major depressive episode. All subjects received a single intravenous ketamine infusion. Post-hoc Pearson correlations were performed between baseline vitamin B12 and folate levels, as well as antidepressant response assessed by percent change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores from baseline to 230 min, 1 day, and 7 days post-infusion.. No significant correlation was observed between baseline vitamin B12 or folate and percent change in HDRS for any of the 3 time points in either MDD or bipolar depression.. Ketamine's antidepressant efficacy may occur independently of baseline peripheral vitamin levels.

Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bipolar Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Ketamine; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin B 12

To examine the prevalence of the C677T polymorphism of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the A2756G polymorphism of methionine synthase (MS), and their impact on antidepressant response.. We screened 224 subjects (52% female, mean age 39 ± 11 years) with SCID-diagnosed major depressive disorder (MDD), and obtained 194 genetic samples. 49 subjects (49% female, mean age 36 ± 11 years) participated in a 12-week open clinical trial of fluoxetine 20-60 mg/day. Association between clinical response and C677T and A2756G polymorphisms, folate, B12, and homocysteine was examined.. Prevalence of the C677T and A2756G polymorphisms was consistent with previous reports (C/C = 41%, C/T = 47%, T/T = 11%, A/A = 66%, A/G = 29%, G/G = 4%). In the fluoxetine-treated subsample (n = 49), intent-to-treat (ITT) response rates were 47% for C/C subjects and 46% for pooled C/T and T/T subjects (nonsignificant). ITT response rates were 38% for A/A subjects and 60% for A/G subjects (nonsignificant), with no subjects exhibiting the G/G homozygote. Mean baseline plasma B12 was significantly lower in A/G subjects compared to A/A, but folate and homocysteine levels were not affected by genetic status. Plasma folate was negatively associated with treatment response.. The C677T and A2756G polymorphisms did not significantly affect antidepressant response. These preliminary findings require replication in larger samples.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Fluoxetine; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Middle Aged; Pharmacogenetics; Polymorphism, Genetic; Prevalence; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Statistics, Nonparametric; Vitamin B 12; Young Adult

Increased levels of homocysteine have been associated with anger and depression separately. We investigated the association of anger attacks in major depressive disorder (MDD) with serum levels of homocysteine.. Homocysteine serum levels were measured in 192 outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD, mean age 39.9 +/- 10.7 (range 19-65), 53% women, at baseline of an open-trial antidepressant treatment. We used the Massachusetts General Hospital Anger Attacks Questionnaire to evaluate anger attacks, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Axis I Disorders-Patient Edition (SCID-I/P) to diagnose MDD and the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression to measure depression severity.. In the multiple regression analysis split by anger attacks adjusted for parameters of depression, creatinine, vitamin B(12), folate, age, smoking, and alcohol consumption, serum levels of homocysteine were positively correlated with length of current major depressive episode (t value, 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], .09 to .43; p = .004) and HAM-D-17 scores (t value, 2.48; 95% CI, .07 to 0.64; p = .016) in patients with anger attacks but not in those without anger attacks.. Anger attacks in MDD may moderate the relationship of homocysteine serum levels with the severity and length of the depressive episode. Future studies are warranted to confirm and clarify the nature of this moderating effect.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Anger; Creatinine; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Severity of Illness Index; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Vitamin B 12

Case control studies have supported a relationship between low folic acid and vitamin B112 and high homocysteine levels as possible predictors of depression. The results from epidemiological studies are mixed and largely from elderly populations.. A random subsample of 412 persons aged 60-64 years from a larger community sample underwent psychiatric and physical assessments, and brain MRI scans. Subjects were assessed using the PRIME-MD Patient Health Questionnaire for syndromal depression and severity of depressive symptoms. Blood measures included serum folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine and creatinine levels, and total antioxidant capacity. MRI scans were quantified for brain atrophy, subcortical atrophy, and periventricular and deep white-matter hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging.. Being in the lowest quartile of homocysteine was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, after adjusting for sex, physical health, smoking, creatinine, folic acid and B12 levels. Being in the lowest quartile of folic acid was associated with increased depressive symptoms, after adjusting for confounding factors, but adjustment for homocysteine reduced the incidence rate ratio for folic acid to a marginal level. Vitamin B12 levels did not have a significant association with depressive symptoms. While white-matter hyperintensities had significant correlations with both homocysteine and depressive symptoms, the brain measures and total antioxidant capacity did not emerge as significant mediating variables.. Low folic acid and high homocysteine, but not low vitamin B12 levels, are correlates of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged individuals. The effects of folic acid and homocysteine are overlapping but distinct.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Australia; Brain; Case-Control Studies; Causality; Creatinine; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depressive Disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Health Status Indicators; Health Surveys; Homocysteine; Humans; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Personality Assessment; Predictive Value of Tests; Psychometrics; Reference Values; Statistics as Topic; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

The objective of this study was to investigate the relative impact of brain white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), cardiovascular risk factors and elements of the one-carbon cycle metabolism (including serum folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels) on the outcome of antidepressant treatment in non-elderly subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD). Fifty MDD subjects were administered brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at 1.5 T to detect T2 WMHs. The severity of brain WMHs was classified with the Fazekas scale (range=0-3). We assessed cardiovascular risk factors in all MDD subjects (age, gender, smoking, diabetes, family history, hypertension, cholesterol). MDD patients also had serum folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels measured. All MDD subjects received treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. In a logistic regression, the severity of subcortical WMHs and the presence of hypofolatemia were independent predictors of lack of clinical response to antidepressant treatment. Separately, hypofolatemia also predicted lack of remission to antidepressant treatment. These associations were independent of the presence of smoking, diabetes, family history, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinemia and low B12 levels. Although preliminary, the results of the present work suggest that subcortical brain WMHs and hypofolatemia may have an independent negative impact on the likelihood of responding to antidepressant treatment in non-geriatric subjects with MDD.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care; Brain; Demography; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Vitamin B 12

The objective of the present work was to study the interrelationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), cardiovascular risk factors and elements of the one-carbon cycle including serum folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine levels in a relatively young sample of outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and to compare the severity of white matter hyperintensities in MDD patients and healthy volunteers. Fifty MDD outpatients (34% women, age 40.6+/-10.3 years), free of psychotropic medications for at least 2 weeks before enrollment, underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain to detect T2 WMHs and also had (1) serum folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine and cholesterol levels measured, and (2) cardiovascular risk factors assessed during the same study visit. Thirty-five healthy comparison subjects (40% women, age 39.2+/-9.8 years) also underwent brain MRI scans. Hypofolatemia, hypertension and age independently predicted a greater severity of total brain WMHs. Separately, the same factors also predicted a greater severity of subcortical WMHs. Hypofolatemic and hypertensive patients had more severe WMHs than normal controls. In light of the adverse impact of WMHs on a number of health-related outcomes later in life, hypofolatemia and hypertension may represent modifiable risk factors to prevent the occurrence of such adverse outcomes.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Brain; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Vitamin B 12

Depression has an overall prevalence of 5-8%. The prevalence of late life depression is estimated among people 65 years of age to be 15%. There is a great under-diagnosis and under-treatment of late life depression with the most serious consequence being premature death. Depression is also an important and independent risk factor for mortality following myocardial infarction, while patients with stroke associated with depression also have a higher death rate. The suicide rate is increased in elderly especially elderly men with depression. The aetiology of depression is more heterogeneous than depression in younger adults. Obviously age-related changes in the brain increase the risk for depression. Patients with neurodegenerative disorders also run a higher risk for being depressed. In Alzheimer's disease the frequency is around 50%. Deficiency of essential nutrients like folic acid and vitamin B12 is an obvious risk factor for both disorders with cognitive impairment and depression. Treatment of depression in the elderly follows the same lines as treatment of depression in younger patients. Many different drugs may be prescribed; however, the risk of adverse events is greater in the elderly. The drugs of choice are the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have a response rate of around 65%. Of interest is that emotional disturbances like irritability, aggressiveness and anxiety also respond to treatment with SSRIs. A comprehensive treatment of late life depression, which includes social and psychological support, has a response rate of 80-90%.

Topics: Age of Onset; Aged; Brain; Depressive Disorder, Major; Folic Acid; Humans; Prevalence; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anemia, Pernicious; Bone Marrow Examination; Chlorpromazine; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Iron; Male; Middle Aged; Time Factors; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biological Assay; Bipolar Disorder; Chlorpromazine; Depressive Disorder, Major; Female; Humans; Lactobacillus; Male; Middle Aged; Phenothiazines; Schizophrenia; Thioridazine; Trifluoperazine; Vitamin B 12