Increased plasma homocysteine levels in patients with multiple sclerosis and depression.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to assess the plasma levels of homocysteine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to investigate whether an association with depression exists.


METHODS
Plasma homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12 and plasma folate were measured in 65 moderately disabled patients with relapsing/remitting MS (RR-MS) and 60 healthy controls. All subjects were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).


RESULTS
Hcy levels were significantly increased in MS patients compared to controls (13.5 +/- 4.7 mumol/l vs 8.5 +/- 3.1, p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between Hcy levels and BDI scores (Pearson r = 0.3025, p < 0.05). Plasma Hcy was not related to Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, age, disease duration or vitamin B12 and folate.


CONCLUSIONS
Moderately disabled MS patients with elevated Hcy levels are particularly prone to develop depressive symptomatology. Further study is warranted in order to elucidate the prognostic and therapeutic implications of this novel finding.
Triantafyllou
Nikolaos
N
Department of Neurology, Eginitio Hospital, University of Athens, Greece. nik.triantaf@gmail.com
Evangelopoulos
Maria-Eleftheria
ME
Kimiskidis
Vasilios K
VK
Kararizou
Evangelia
E
Boufidou
Fotini
F
Fountoulakis
Konstantinos N
KN
Siamouli
Melina
M
Nikolaou
Chrysoula
C
Sfagos
Constantinos
C
Vlaikidis
Nikolaos
N
Vassilopoulos
Dimitrios
D
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