VITAMIN-B1, VITAMIN-B2, AND VITAMIN-B6 AUGMENTATION OF TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANT TREATMENT IN GERIATRIC DEPRESSION WITH COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION

This was a 4-week randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to assess augmentation of open tricyclic antidepressant treatment with 1 0 mg each of vitamins B1, B2, and B-6 in 14 geriatric inpatients with depression. The active vitamin group demonstrated significantly better B2 and B-6 status on enzyme activity coefficients and trends toward g reater improvement in scores on ratings of depression and cognitive fu nction, as well as in serum nortriptyline levels compared with placebo -treated subjects (Ss). Without specific supplementation, B-12 levels increased in Ss receiving B1/B2/B-6 and decreased in placebo Ss. These findings offer preliminary support for further investigation of B com plex vitamin augmentation in the treatment of geriatric depression.