Baseline Vitamin B12 and Folate Levels Do Not Predict Improvement in Depression After a Single Infusion of Ketamine
Nancy B. Lundin, Mark J. Niciu, David A. Luckenbaugh, Dawn F. Ionescu, Erica M. Richards, Jennifer L. Vande Voort, Nancy E. Brutsché, Rodrigo Machado‐Vieira, Carlos A. Zarate
Pharmacopsychiatry June 23, 2014 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1377042 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 83 |
| Population | Inpatients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant bipolar depression currently in a major depressive episode |
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Dose | single intravenous infusion |
| Duration | 7 days post-infusion |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine Esketamine |
| Keywords | Antidepressant Depression economics Vitamin b12 Bipolar disorder Anesthesia Lithium medication |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | No significant correlation was found between baseline vitamin B12 or folate levels and antidepressant response to ketamine at any time point in either depression type. |
Abstract
Introduction: Deficiencies in both vitamin B12 and folate have been associated with depression. Recently, higher baseline vitamin B12 levels were observed in individuals with bipolar depression who responded to the antidepressant ketamine at 7 days post-infusion. This study sought to -replicate this result by correlating peripheral vitamin levels with ketamine's antidepressant efficacy in bipolar depression and major depressive disorder (MDD).
Methods: Baseline vitamin B12 and folate levels were obtained in 49 inpatients with treatment-resistant MDD and 34 inpatients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression currently experiencing a major depressive episode. All subjects received a single intravenous ketamine infusion. Post-hoc Pearson correlations were performed between baseline vitamin B12 and folate levels, as well as antidepressant response assessed by percent change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores from baseline to 230 min, 1 day, and 7 days post-infusion.
Results: No significant correlation was observed between baseline vitamin B12 or folate and percent change in HDRS for any of the 3 time points in either MDD or bipolar depression.
Discussion: Ketamine's antidepressant efficacy may occur independently of baseline peripheral vitamin levels.