IS METHYLFOLATE EFFECTIVE IN RELIEVING MAJOR DEPRESSION IN CHRONIC-ALCOHOLICS - A HYPOTHESIS OF TREATMENT

Folate deficiency is often associated with depression. Chronic alcohol ics, who usually present with reduced blood folate levels, are frequen tly affected by depression. After a 1-week run-in placebo period, 36 c hronic alcoholics with major depression were treated with methylfolate (90 mg/d orally for 4 weeks) as an antidepressant. The surprisingly b eneficial effects induced by methylfolate on depressive signs and symp toms of ethanol abusers should encourage more extensive experimental a nd clinical investigations to confirm these preliminary results. No ad verse side effects were reported.