Research investigates whether vitamin helps to treat depression

News release from the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment

26 January 2007

New research commissioned by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme is looking into whether the vitamin folate can help in the treatment of depression. One in five people experience depression during their lives and only half of these people respond to antidepressant treatment.

Folate, a vitamin found in foods such as green vegetables, helps to produce chemicals that regulate brain functions, including mood, sleep and appetite. A Cochrane review concluded that folate may have a role as a supplement to other treatments for depression, but the evidence is limited and primary research is needed to test this.

“Antidepressants work by improving the way certain chemical messengers work in the brain and folate helps produce the chemicals needed for this process,” says Professor Ian Russell of Bangor University's Institute of Medical & Social Care Research. “Low levels of folate from a poor diet or similar factors could worsen depression and stop antidepressants from working optimally . ”

Researchers in Wales led by Professor Russell are set to conduct the biggest randomised controlled trial of its kind to test whether a folate tablet taken daily by people with depression will help their antidepressants to work better. In addition to their antidepressants, participants will be given either a folate tablet or a dummy tablet for three months. Researchers will ask them about the effect this has on their depression, and take blood samples to corroborate this.

“We welcome this research initiative into the potential of folate to enhance the effect of anti-depressant medication,” says Lindsay Foyster, Director of Mind Cymru. “If the research proves folate to be efficacious then an easily acquired simple supplement or an informed improvement in diet could make a significant contribution to the self management of depression.”

For more information visit: http://www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1537 Alternatively you can view this press release in Welsh

Notes:

  1. Mind ( National Association for Mental Health) is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales and works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Visit www.mind.org.uk for more information.

  2. In 1997 Bangor University established the inter-faculty Institute of Medical & Social Care Research (IMSCaR) to provide a focus for the University's research in health and social care. In 2006 IMSCaR joined with the Schools of Healthcare Sciences, Health & Exercise Science, Medical Sciences and Psychology to form the College of Health and Behavioural Sciences (CoHaBS). Within IMSCaR the North Wales Section of Psychological Medicine and the North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health (NWORTH) will lead the new trial. Visit www.bangor.ac.uk/imscar for more information.

Notes for editors


  1. The HTA programme is a programme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and produces high quality research information about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest of the NIHR programmes and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with more than 400 issues published to date. The journal’s 2007 Impact Factor (3.87) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download free of charge from the website, www.hta.ac.uk The HTA programme is coordinated by the National Coordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment (NCCHTA), based at the University of Southampton.
  2. The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk

Contact details

Naomi Stockley, Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 646, Email: ns5@soton.ac.uk

Helen Nikandrou, Assistant Programme Manager (Communications)
Telephone: 02380 595 584, Email: h.nikandrou@soton.ac.uk

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