Plasma homocysteine levels and major depressive disorders in Alzheimer disease.
BACKGROUND
The main aim of this study was to examine the symptomatology of major depression in Alzheimer disease (AD) and its relationship with plasma homocysteine level.


METHODS
Eighty-three patients with AD were enrolled for clinical assessments and examination of fasting plasma homocysteine. Diagnosis of major depression was made, and the severity of the depression was assessed.


RESULTS
The moderate dementia patients presented with more common behavioral disturbances related to major depression than mild dementia patients. Major depression in patients with moderate AD was associated with higher plasma homocysteine levels. Furthermore, a high plasma homocysteine level was positively associated with behavioral disturbance among study participants with major depression.


CONCLUSIONS
More behavioral disturbance associated with major depression occurred as the dementia progressed. Patients with a higher level of plasma homocysteine presented with a higher behavioral disturbance symptomatology. This finding may account for the relationship between elevated homocysteine levels and depression only in patients with moderate AD.
Chen
Cheng-Sheng
CS
Departments of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.
Chou
Mei-Chuan
MC
Yeh
Yi-Chun
YC
Yang
Yuan-Han
YH
Lai
Chiou-Lian
CL
Yen
Cheng-Fang
CF
Liu
Ching-Kuan
CK
Liao
Yi-Cheng
YC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D006710:Homocysteine