The MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with depressive episodes in patients from Northern Ireland.
Low plasma folate and its derivatives have been linked with depressive disorders in studies dating back over 30 years. A thermolabile variant (677C>T) of the enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is associated with low serum folate. The present study aimed to explore whether the thermolabile variant of MTHFR is associated with a vulnerability to depressive episodes. MTHFR C677T genotype frequencies in a cohort of patients (mean age 48 years) with depressive disorder (n = 100) were compared with those in age- and sex-matched controls. Serum levels of folate, homocysteine and vitamin B(12) were also compared between groups. The thermolabile variant of MTHFR was significantly more common in the group with a history of depressive disorder (P= 0.03). Serum levels of folate, homocysteine and vitamin B(12) did not differ significantly between groups. A MTHFR C677T genotype is associated with increased risk of depressive episodes in this homogenous patient population.
Kelly
Christopher B
CB
Department of Mental Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK. chriskelly@bch.n-i.nhs.uk
McDonnell
Anne P
AP
Johnston
Timothy G
TG
Mulholland
Ciaran
C
Cooper
Stephen J
SJ
McMaster
Dorothy
D
Evans
Alun
A
Whitehead
Alexander S
AS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006711:Homocystine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D006711:Homocystine; D005492:Folic Acid; D042965:Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); D014805:Vitamin B 12