Can B Vitamins Enhance Antidepressant Response?

Folate and B₁₂ deficiency can cause depression, and supplementation with methylfolate can augment short-term antidepressant response in nonresponders. In this randomized, controlled, 1-year study, 153 older, depressed patients (age, >50; 56% women) received citalopram (20–40 mg) plus either supplementation with placebo or with vitamins B₆ (25.0 mg), B₁₂ (0.5 mg), and folate (2.0 mg).

The vitamin and placebo groups did not differ in depression rating scale scores at 12, 26, or 52 weeks. However, among those whose depression remitted after week 12, supplementation was associated with a significantly lower relapse rate (odds ratio, 0.33). Vitamin supplementation also significantly reduced plasma level of homocysteine (which correlates negativel…