Folate deficiency, biopterin and monoamine metabolism in depression

T Bottiglieri; K Hyland; M Laundy; P Godfrey; M W Carney; B K Toone; E H Reynolds

doi:10.1017/s0033291700038447

Folate deficiency, biopterin and monoamine metabolism in depression

Psychol Med. 1992 Nov;22(4):871-6. doi: 10.1017/s0033291700038447.

Authors

T Bottiglieri¹, K Hyland, M Laundy, P Godfrey, M W Carney, B K Toone, E H Reynolds

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London.

PMID: 1283223
DOI: 10.1017/s0033291700038447

Abstract

Seven (21%) of 34 patients with a severe DSM-III diagnosis of major depression had red-cell folate levels below 150 ng/ml. This subgroup with folate deficiency had significantly lower CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) compared to neurological controls. For all depressed patients red-cell folate was significantly correlated with CSF 5HIAA and homovanillic acid (HVA). CSF tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) was significantly correlated with CSF 5HIAA and HVA and red-cell folate. Our observations provide further evidence of the links between folate, biopterin and monoamine metabolism in depression.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Biogenic Monoamines / analysis*
Biogenic Monoamines / blood
Biogenic Monoamines / metabolism
Biopterins / deficiency*
Cerebrospinal Fluid / chemistry
Depressive Disorder / classification
Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
Depressive Disorder / metabolism*
Female
Homovanillic Acid / analysis
Humans
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / analysis
Male
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Pteroylpolyglutamic Acids / analysis*
Pteroylpolyglutamic Acids / blood
Pteroylpolyglutamic Acids / metabolism

Substances

Biogenic Monoamines
Pteroylpolyglutamic Acids
Biopterins
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
Homovanillic Acid