Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Major Depressive Disorders in Alzheimer Disease

• Published in: The American journal of geriatric psychiatry Vol. 18; no. 11; pp. 1045 - 1048
• Main Authors: Chen, Cheng-Sheng, M.D., M.S, Chou, Mei-Chuan, M.D., M.S, Yeh, Yi-Chun, M.D., M.S, Yang, Yuan-Han, M.D, Lai, Chiou-Lian, M.D., Ph.D, Yen, Cheng-Fang, M.D., Ph.D, Liu, Ching-Kuan, M.D., Ph.D, Liao, Yi-Cheng, M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.11.2010; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer disease; Alzheimer Disease - blood; Alzheimer Disease - complications; depressive disorder; Depressive Disorder, Major - blood; Depressive Disorder, Major - complications; Female; Homocysteine - blood; homocysteine levels; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; depressive disorder; Alzheimer disease; homocysteine levels
• ISSN: 1064-7481; 1545-7214
• DOI: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181dba6f1

Background The main aim of this study was to examine the symptomatology of major depression in Alzheimer disease (AD) and its relationship with plasma homocysteine level. Methods Eighty-three patients with AD were enrolled for clinical assessments and examination of fasting plasma homocysteine. Diagnosis of major depression was made, and the severity of the depression was assessed. Results The moderate dementia patients presented with more common behavioral disturbances related to major depression than mild dementia patients. Major depression in patients with moderate AD was associated with higher plasma homocysteine levels. Furthermore, a high plasma homocysteine level was positively associated with behavioral disturbance among study participants with major depression. Conclusion More behavioral disturbance associated with major depression occurred as the dementia progressed. Patients with a higher level of plasma homocysteine presented with a higher behavioral disturbance symptomatology. This finding may account for the relationship between elevated homocysteine levels and depression only in patients with moderate AD.