title: Folate deficiency, biopterin and monoamine metabolism in depression.
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: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001708:Biopterins / Q000172:deficiency*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011624:Pteroylpolyglutamic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D011624:Pteroylpolyglutamic Acids; D001708:Biopterins; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid