Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2014; 82(2): 78-83
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1356123
Übersicht
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Folate in der Depressionsbehandlung

Folates in the Treatment of Depression
S. Erbe
1   Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Martin Gropius Krankenhaus, I. Psychiatrische Klinik, Eberswalde
,
U. N. Pellert
2   Abteilung für Psychiatrie, Schlosspark-Klinik, Berlin
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 February 2014 (online)

Zusammenfassung

Die Depression ist eine bedeutsame und häufig wiederkehrende Erkrankung. Ein erster antidepressiv-pharmakologischer Behandlungsversuch führt leider nur bei ca. 30 % der Patienten zu einer Remission. Die meisten dieser behandelten Patienten sind nur Teil-Responder oder erfahren keine Besserung ihrer depressiven Symptomatik. Es findet sich immer mehr Evidenz dafür, dass ein Folatmangel sowohl die Entstehung einer depressiven Störung mitbedingen kann als auch mit einem schlechteren Behandlungsverlauf inklusive Therapieresistenz und einer schwereren Symptomatik assoziiert ist. Der folgende Übersichtsartikel fasst diese Evidenz zusammen und diskutiert einen möglichen klinischen Nutzen einer Substitution von L-Methylfolat und Folsäure in der Depressionsbehandlung.

Abstract

Depression is an important and often recurrent illness. An initial antidepressant trial is effective at achieving remission for about 30 % of patients when prescribed as monotherapy, with the majority of patients returning as partial or non-responders. Suboptimal serum and red blood cell folate levels have been associated with a poorer response to antidepressant therapy, a greater severity of symptoms, later onset of clinical improvement, and overall treatment resistance. This article reviews the evidence for L-methylfolate and folic acid as antidepressive agents in depression and discusses their clinical use.

 
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