The influence of folate serum levels on depressive mood and mental processing in patients with epilepsy treated with enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Rösche ◽  
C. Uhlmann ◽  
R. Weber ◽  
W. Fröscher
Keyword(s):  
Depression Scale ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Depressive Mood ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Bedside Test ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Serum

Background:Folate deficiency is common in patients with epilepsy and also occurs in patients with depression or cognitive deficits.Objective:This study investigates whether low serum folate levels may contribute to depressive mood and difficulties in mental processing in patients with epilepsy treated with anti-epileptic drugs inducing the cytochrome P450.Methods:We analysed the serum folate levels, the score in the Self Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the results of a bedside test in mental processing in 54 patients with epilepsy.Results:There was a significant negative correlation between the serum folate levels and the score in SDS and significant positive correlations between the score in SDS and the time needed to process an interference task or a letter-reading task.Conclusions:Low serum folate levels may contribute to depressive mood and therefore to difficulties in mental processing. Further studies utilizing total plasma homocysteine as a sensitive measure of functional folate deficiency and more elaborate tests of mental processing are required to elucidate the impact of folate metabolism on depressive mood and cognitive function in patients with epilepsy.

scholarly journals Is Depression Related to Low Folate Levels in People with Epilepsy? An Observational Study and Meta-analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 08 (03) ◽  
pp. 381-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhargavi Ramanujam ◽  
Bhupender Kumar Bajaj ◽  
Kirandeep Kaur ◽  
Kuljeet Singh Anand ◽  
Gurdeep Buxi
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Folate Supplementation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Low Serum

ABSTRACT Background: Both depression and low serum levels of folate are common in people with epilepsy (PWE), the latter especially in patients on hepatic enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We did a cross-sectional study and a meta-analysis to assess if lower folate levels have any relation with depression in PWE. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and one PWE were recruited and assessed for depression using the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Rated (IDS-SR) and Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Clinician Rated; serum folate levels were measured in them at the same time. Literature search was carried out and studies with data on depression as well as folate levels in PWE were included. Statistical analysis to determine frequency of depression, low folate levels, and relation between them among our cases and the pooled data from the included studies was done. Results: Depression was observed in 65.68% and low serum folate (<4 ng/ml) in 48.75% of PWE (over 80% on older AEDs); there was no statistically significant correlation between them. However, on analyzing the pooled data of six studies including the present, the Fisher’s z-transformed correlation coefficient was −0.1690 (95% confidence interval [−0.3175, −0.0124], P = 0.0464). Conclusions: Depression and low folate levels are common in PWE. Low folate levels have a mild but significant negative correlation with depression in this population, and folate supplementation would be advisable for those on the older AEDs.

scholarly journals Masked vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in the elderly

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Craig ◽  
C. Elliot ◽  
K. R. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Fe Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Geriatric Unit

1. A high incidence of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, or both, may be found in the elderly, particularly those in hospital. This report concerns fifty cases detected in an inner-city-area geriatric unit during the course of routine clinical investigation. The majority had none of the classical haematological signs of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, and all the patients reported had a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of less than 100 fl.2. There was a significant negative correlation between the MCV and the erythrocyte folate (P< 0.01), supporting earlier published work using a low serum folate as an index of folate deficiency.3. There was no correlation between the MCV and the serum vitamin B12. Published work differs on this point.4. Serum iron, total Fe-binding capacity and percentage Fe saturation results were available in forty patients in this series. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum Fe and the MCV (P<0.01) and 34% of patients had haematological evidence of Fe deficiency. In the majority, however, there was no evidence that associated Fe deficiency had masked the haematological signs of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.5. More attention should be paid to the problem of ‘masked’ vitamin B12 and folate deficiency in the elderly. There is a case for routine screening of the elderly for vitamin B12 and folate deficiency irrespective of the MCV.

Micronutrients and Infection with COVID-19: A Critical Mini-Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Yaghtin ◽  
Richard Webb ◽  
Sayyed Saeid Khayyatzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Micronutrient Intake ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Low Serum

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been the cause of a global pandemic. Given the impact of nutritional status upon immune function, it is crucial to understand the relationship between micronutrient intake and severity of the disease. This mini-review aimed to summarize the known associations between specific micronutrients (vitamin A, D, E, C and zinc, selenium and magnesium) and the health of coronavirus-infected patients. Low serum levels of these micronutrients are associated with the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the outcomes of supplementation with these nutrients.

scholarly journals Low Serum Tryptophan Levels as an Indicator of Global Cognitive Performance in Nondemented Women over 50 Years of Age

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Ramos-Chávez ◽  
G. Roldán-Roldán ◽  
B. García-Juárez ◽  
D. González-Esquivel ◽  
G. Pérez de la Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Significant Positive Association

Aging is a physiological decline process. The number of older adults is growing around the world; therefore, the incidence of cognitive impairment, dementia, and other diseases related to aging increases. The main cellular factors that converge in the aging process are mitochondrial dysfunction, antioxidant impairment, inflammation, and immune response decline, among others. In this context, these cellular changes have an influence on the kynurenine pathway (KP), the main route of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism. KP metabolites have been involved in the aging process and neurodegenerative diseases. Although there are changes in the metabolite levels with age, at this time, there is no study that has evaluated cognitive decline as a consequence of Trp catabolism fluctuation in aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between the changes in Trp catabolism and cognitive impairment associated with age through KP metabolites level alterations in women over 50 years of age. Seventy-seven nondemented women over 50 years old were examined with a standardized cognitive screening evaluation in Spanish language (Neuropsi), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and the geriatric depression scale (GDS). Also, serum levels of Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), kynurenic acid (KYNA), and 3-hydroykynurenine (3-HK) and the glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) were measured. Results showed a negative correlation between age and Trp levels and a positive correlation between age and KYNA/Trp and 3-HK/Trp ratios. The level of cognitive impairment showed a significant positive association with age and with kynurenine pathway activation and a significant negative correlation with Trp levels. The GSH/GSSG ratio correlated positively with Trp levels and negatively with Kyn/Trp and 3-HK/Trp ratios. The depression score correlated negatively with Trp and positively with the 3-HK/Trp ratio. We concluded that KP activation increases with age and it is strongly associated with the level of cognition performance in nondemented women over 50 years of age.

Low Serum Folate Levels as a Risk Factor for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 4431-4431
Author(s):  
HeeNam Kim ◽  
Min-Ho Shin ◽  
Yeo-Kyeoung Kim ◽  
Il-Kwon Lee ◽  
Deok-Hwan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
T Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Folate Level ◽  
Serum Folate Level ◽  
Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Low Serum

Abstract Folate plays an essential role in cell division by participating in DNA synthesis and regenerating S-adenosylmethionine, a universal methyl donor in methylation. Folate deficiency may be involved in carcinogenesis of several type cancers through impaired synthesis and repair of DNA, or by causing global hypomethylation of DNA. So far, there is no prior report on epidemiologic data concerning the relationship between folate intake or serum folate levels and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) risk. We performed a case-control study (432 cases and 1,700 controls) to examine the association between serum folate levels and risk of NHL. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to show that serum folate levels and risk of NHL. We also investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in folate-metabolizing enzymes interact with serum folate levels in modifying NHL risk. Serum folate was measured by ion capture assay on an AxSYM Analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics, AbbottPark, IL). The geometric mean in cases was lower than in controls (e.g., 18.9 vs 22.1 nmol/L, P < 0.001). We found a statistically significant association between serum folate level and risk of NHL, with 3.35 of odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.27–4.95) for individuals in the lowest serum folate level category (<11.3 nmol/L [5 ng/mL]) compared with the highest category (>22.7 nmol/L [10 ng/mL]) There was a significant thymidylate synthase (TS)-folate interaction in T-cell lymphoma subtype, but we did not observe any significant gene-folate interactions in NHL and DLBCL subtype. Among subjects with low serum folate concentration (<7.5 ng/ml), the OR of T-cell lymphoma for the 3R/3R or 2R/3R genotype were 2.80 (95% CI = 1.36–5.77) and 0.78(95% CI = 0.29–2.12) for 2R/2R genotype (P = 0.045, test for homogeneity). These results provide support for the important role of folate deficiency in the risk of NHL and folate-gene interaction in the etiology of T-cell lymphoma.

scholarly journals Religiosity and spirituality in patients with epilepsy

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 335-340
Author(s):  
Isadora Barazzetti Rigon ◽  
Gabriel de Almeida Calado ◽  
Lucas Savaris Linhares ◽  
Pietro Lentz Martins Cantu ◽  
Jorge Luis Wollstein Moritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Religious Experiences ◽  
Epileptic Syndromes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Religiosity And Spirituality ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) are widely regarded as important allies against illness and suffering in general. Findings in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) suggest the temporal lobe as the anatomical-functional basis of religious experiences. Both R/S are relevant in patients with epilepsy (PWE) since epilepsy can lead to psychosocial issues for a significant portion of patients and their families. Objective: To investigate R/S in PWE, as well as the impact of different epileptic syndromes on patients' R/S. Methods: One hundred PWE and 50 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and educational level were submitted to an interview, as well as three previously validated questionnaires: Index of Core Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Results: PWE's and control's mean ages were 35.9 ± 12.4 vs. 36.3 ± 18.1 years, mean schooling was 8.9 ± 3.7 vs. 10.1 ± 4.2 years. The mean age of epilepsy onset was 14.5 ± 12.1 and monthly frequency of seizures was 5.9 ± 12.6. INSPIRIT-R's scores were not statistically significantly different between patients and controls (3.0 ± 0.8 vs. 3.0 ± 0.8); however, INSPIRIT-R's scores were significantly higher in TLE patients when compared with other epilepsy syndromes (3.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 0.9; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Temporal lobe epilepsy patients have higher levels of R/S.

scholarly journals Low Serum Folate Levels as a Risk Factor for Depressive Mood in Patients With Chronic Epilepsy

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Rösche ◽  
Carmen Uhlmann ◽  
Walter Fröscher
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Depressive Mood ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Chronic Epilepsy ◽  
Low Serum

Major malformations in offspring of women with epilepsy

Neurology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erja Kaaja ◽  
Risto Kaaja ◽  
Vilho Hiilesmaa
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Serum

Background: The offspring of women with epilepsy are at an increased risk of major congenital malformations, but the impact of the various contributing factors remains unresolved.Method: In 1980 through 1998, the authors prospectively followed up 970 pregnancies in women with epilepsy at a single maternity clinic. Of their 979 offspring, 740 were exposed to maternal antiepileptic drugs (AED) during the first trimester of pregnancy and 239 were not exposed. Maternal AED levels and serum folate concentrations were measured at the end of the first trimester. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with the occurrence of major malformations in the fetuses and newborns.Results: Major malformations were detected in 28 fetuses (3.8%) exposed to maternal AED and in 2 (0.8%) not exposed (p = 0.02). After logistic regression analysis, the occurrence of major malformations was independently associated with use of carbamazepine (adjusted OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.0 to 6.0), use of valproate (4.1; 1.6 to 11), use of oxcarbazepine (10.8; 1.1 to 106), low serum folate concentration (5.8; 1.3 to 27), and low maternal level of education (3.0; 1.3 to 6.8). Major malformations were not associated with seizures during the first trimester (0.6; 0.1 to 2.9).Conclusions: Major malformations in the offspring of mothers with epilepsy are associated with use of AED during early pregnancy, and also with low serum folate concentrations and a low level of education.

Folate Deficiency in Depressive Illness

1970 ◽  
Vol 117 (538) ◽  
pp. 287-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. H. Reynolds ◽  
J. M. Preece ◽  
J. Bailey ◽  
Alec Coppen
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Depressive Illness ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Epileptic Patients ◽  
Mental Symptoms ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depressive Patients ◽  
Low Serum

Two reports have shown that a substantial proportion of patients suffering from various psychiatric syndromes have low serum folate concentrations (Hunter, Jones Jones and Matthews, 1967; Carney, 1967). The present investigation was concerned to examine further the prevalence of low serum folate in a series of depressive patients on admission to hospital. As folate deficiency contributes to the development of mental symptoms in epileptic patients (Reynolds, 1968), we also examined the relationship of low serum folate concentrations to the severity of the depressive illness, certain personality traits, and the response to anti-depressant treatment. The relationship of low serum folate to variables which could influence it such as diet and drugs was also examined. In a proportion of these patients serum folate measurements were repeated just before the patient's discharge. Serum B12concentrations were also estimated.

scholarly journals Interrelationship of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Folic Acid, and Aspirin

Blood ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
HARVEY J. ALTER ◽  
NATHAN J. ZVAIFLER ◽  
CHARLES E. RATH
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Folic Acid ◽  
Plasma Clearance ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Folate ◽  
Pteroylglutamic Acid ◽  
Apparent Equilibrium ◽  
Low Serum

Abstract Decreased serum folate (FA) levels were detected in 71% of 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Of 11 patients studied more intensively, only one fulfilled the usual hematologic criteria for FA deficiency. All, however, demonstrated an abnormally rapid plasma clearance of tritium-labeled pteroylglutamic acid (3HPGA). "Binding" of 3HPGA was evaluated by dialysis to apparent equilibrium and found to be significantly reduced in the sera of patients with RA. Common to all these patients was the ingestion of aspirin (ASA). Four RA patients not taking ASA had normal 3HPGA "binding". The 3HPGA "binding" of RA sera decreased as these patients were given increased ASA dosage and vice versa. The in vitro addition of ASA to normal sera reduced "binding" to the level detected in RA sera. Progressive increases in ASA resulted in progressive decreases in "binding". Aspirin given to three normal subjects reduced 3HPGA "binding" in all and serum FA in two. Precedents for ASA-induced structural change in binding proteins and for the relation between decreased binding and lowered serum levels are discussed. It is suggested that the low serum FA concentration and rapid plasma clearance of 3HPGA in RA might reflect ASA-induced alterations of FA binding, resulting in a redistribution rather than deficiency of this vitamin.

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