Folate

Articles tagged with "Folate".

Folate as Adjunct Therapy to SSRI/SNRI for Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

Tags: Folate, L-Methylfolate, Folic Acid, SSRI, SNRI, Adjunct Therapy, Major Depressive Disorder, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

November 24, 2024

Introduction

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of folate supplementation (l-methylfolate or folic acid) as adjunct therapy to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for major depressive disorder treatment. The study aimed to determine whether folate augmentation improves depression scores, response rates, and remission rates compared to SSRI/SNRI monotherapy.

Background and Rationale

The Challenge of Depression Treatment

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects an estimated 11 million individuals over age 18 annually in the United States and is predicted to become the leading cause of disability within the next 13 years. Current first-line treatments with SSRI/SNRI monotherapy achieve only modest efficacy, with studies like STAR*D showing:

l-Methylfolate as Adjunctive Therapy for SSRI-Resistant Major Depression: Results of Two Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Sequential Trials

Tags: L-Methylfolate, SSRI-Resistant Depression, Adjunctive Therapy, Folate, Treatment-Resistant Depression, Augmentation, Randomized Controlled Trial

November 24, 2024

Introduction

These two sequential randomized controlled trials investigated the efficacy of l-methylfolate augmentation in patients with major depressive disorder who had partial or no response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The studies used a novel sequential parallel comparison design to enhance statistical power and provide definitive evidence for this promising adjunctive treatment.

Background and Rationale

The Challenge of Treatment-Resistant Depression

More than half of all patients treated with antidepressant monotherapy fail to experience remission of their major depressive episode. This creates an urgent need for safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatments for antidepressant-resistant depression.