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