title: Increased plasma homocysteine levels in patients with multiple sclerosis and depression.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Eginitio Hospital, University of Athens, Greece. nik.triantaf@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Triantafyllou
authors.forename: Maria-Eleftheria
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Evangelopoulos
authors.forename: Vasilios K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kimiskidis
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kararizou
authors.forename: Fotini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boufidou
authors.forename: Konstantinos N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Fountoulakis
authors.forename: Melina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siamouli
authors.forename: Chrysoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nikolaou
authors.forename: Constantinos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sfagos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vlaikidis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vassilopoulos
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