Association of Low Folate Levels and Depression

• Depressed patients with low RBC folate are 6 times more likely not to respond to antidepressant therapy and less likely to achieve remission.^9,10
• Low serum or low red blood cell folate levels have been reported in 15%-56% of depressed patients.^18,19
• The severity of a depressive episode, length of an episode, and later onset of clinical improvement are inversely correlated with RBC folate levels.^11,13,20,21
• Depressed patients with low RBC folate are associated with impairment in the synthesis and release of monoamine neurotransmitters: serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.^8,22,23

Risk Factors for Folate Deficiency

Bottiglieri T, Homocysteine and folate metabolism in depression; Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 2005