Homocysteine and cognitive function in geriatric depression.
OBJECTIVE
Cognitive dysfunction is a common aspect of the spectrum of symptoms of geriatric depression. High homocysteine levels have been linked to cognitive decline in neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study investigated possible associations between cognitive impairment observed in geriatric depression and homocysteine levels.


METHODS
The performance of 25 mentally healthy individuals and 40 patients with geriatric depression in terms of language processing, processing speed, concentration and attention was assessed with the Stroop Test and the d2 Test of Attention. Serum homocysteine was determined with an enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
The performance of depressed patients was significantly worse in language processing (p = 0.001) and processing speed (p < 0.0001). Depressed patients with high levels of homocysteine performed better than patients with homocysteine concentrations <or=11.7 micromol/l in both cognitive domains (p = 0.006 and 0.009, respectively). Moreover, homocysteine level was positively associated with language processing (p = 0.002) and processing speed (p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that under the special circumstances of geriatric depression (perturbation of glutamatergic transmission and glutamate metabolism), homocysteine is positively associated with the performance in language processing and processing speed.
Alexopoulos
P
P
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany. panos.alexopoulos @ lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Topalidis
S
S
Irmisch
G
G
Prehn
K
K
Jung
S U
SU
Poppe
K
K
Sebb
H
H
Perneczky
R
R
Kurz
A
A
Bleich
S
S
Herpertz
S C
SC
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D006710:Homocysteine