Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Lok, A
• Mocking, R.J.T
• Assies, J
• Koeter, M.W
• Bockting, C.L
• de Vries, G.J
• Visser, I
• Derks, E.M
• Kayser, M
• Schene, A.H

Titel

The one-carbon-cycle and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) C677T polymorphism in recurrent major depressive disorder; influence of antidepressant use and depressive state?

Ist Teil von

• Journal of affective disorders, 2014-09, Vol.166, p.115-123

Ort / Verlag

Oxford: Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

2014

Quelle

Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts (ASSIA)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Abstract Background 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. Methods 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). Results 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. Conclusions 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.