Predictive value of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in late-life depression

Background The role of folate, vitamin B-12 and homocysteine levels in depression is not clear. Aims To investigate cross-sectional and prospective associations between folate, B-12 and homocysteine levels and late-life depression. Method A total of 732 Korean people aged 65 years or over were evaluated at baseline. Of the 631 persons who were not depressed, 521 (83%) were followed over a period of 2-3 years and incident depression was ascertained with the Geriatric Mental State schedule. Serum folate, serum vitamin B-12 and plasma homocysteine levels were assayed at both baseline and follow-up. Results Lower levels of folate and vitamin B-12 and higher homocysteine levels at baseline were associated with a higher risk of incident depression at follow-up. incident depression was associated with a decline in vitamin B-12 and an increase in homocysteine levels over the follow-up period. Conclusions Lower folate, lower vitamin B-12 and raised homocysteine levels may be risk factors for late-life depression. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements