Primary research
Increased plasma homocysteine levels in patients with multiple sclerosis and depression
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* Corresponding author: Maria-Eleftheria Evangelopoulos evangelopoulos@yahoo.com
1 Department of Neurology, Eginitio Hospital, University of Athens, Greece
2 Department of Neurology III, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
3 Department of Psychiatry III, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Annals of General Psychiatry 2008, 7:17 doi:10.1186/1744-859X-7-17
Published: 9 September 2008Abstract
Background
The aim of the study was to assess the plasma levels of homocysteine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to investigate whether an association with depression exists.
Methods
Plasma homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12 and plasma folate were measured in 65 moderately disabled patients with relapsing/remitting MS (RR-MS) and 60 healthy controls. All subjects were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
Results
Hcy levels were significantly increased in MS patients compared to controls (13.5 ± 4.7 μmol/l vs 8.5 ± 3.1, p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between Hcy levels and BDI scores (Pearson r = 0.3025, p < 0.05). Plasma Hcy was not related to Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, age, disease duration or vitamin B12 and folate.
Conclusion
Moderately disabled MS patients with elevated Hcy levels are particularly prone to develop depressive symptomatology. Further study is warranted in order to elucidate the prognostic and therapeutic implications of this novel finding.