title: A pilot study of folic acid supplementation for improving homocysteine levels, cognitive and depressive status in eating disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several authors have reported low folate intake in patients with eating disorders (ED). This vitamin plays an essential role in synthesis reactions for neurotransmitters and structural elements of neurons, and therefore its deficiency has been associated with the presence of different disorders linked to mental function. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine levels and the cognitive and depressive status of a group of patients with eating disorders with low folate intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed as a randomised, prospective clinical trial, which included 24 participants assigned to two treatment groups for six months: supplemented group (SG) (10 mg/day of folic acid [ACFOL]) and a placebo group (PG). Both groups maintained their medical, dietary and psychological treatment. At baseline and end of the intervention, anthropometric, dietary and biochemical parameters (plasma homocysteine [Hcy], serum and red blood cell folate) were recorded. Cognitive and depressive status questionnaires were administered (Stroop Test, Trail Making Test and Beck Depression Inventory).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients completed the study (SG: 12, PG: 10, mean age: 24.2 ± 8.8 years, BMI 18.9 ± 3.5 kg/m2). The SG significantly increased their serum and red blood cell folate levels and lowered Hcy levels (9.4 ± 2.4 μmol/l vs. 7.5 ± 1.7 μmol/l, P < 0.01). The SG also significantly improved most of their test scores for cognitive and depressive status. The PG showed no significant changes in any of the evaluated variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that folic acid supplementation may be used as another tool within the comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment applied to patients with ED.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Department, La Paz University Hospital, Health Research Institute IdiPAZ, Madrid, Spain. vloria@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Loria-Kohen
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gómez-Candela
authors.forename: Samara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palma-Milla
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amador-Sastre
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernanz
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bermejo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid