5-Methyltetrahydrofolate level in the serum of depressed subjects and its relationship to the outcome of ECT.
Serum 5-MeTHF levels are reported in 26 subjects, before and after completing a course of ECT, and compared to 21 healthy volunteers. 5-MeTHF levels of depressed subjects were significantly lower than controls before and after ECT. There was no difference in 5-MeTHF levels between ECT responders and non-responders but folate deficiency was related to severity of depression before ECT. Serum 5-MeTHF was not related to treatment response and values remained markedly low even after a good response to treatment.
Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral, UK.
A M
AM
Wilkinson
D N
DN
Anderson
M T
MT
Abou-Saleh
M
M
Wesson
J A
JA
Blair
G
G
Farrar
R J
RJ
Leeming
D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D013763:Tetrahydrofolates / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013763:Tetrahydrofolates; C005984:5-methyltetrahydrofolate