Is augmentation with folate effective for major depressive disorder?

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antidepressive-agents #databases-factual #major-depressive-disorder #dietary-supplements #folic-acid

Is augmentation with folate effective for major depressive disorder?

Trincado et al., 2018 | Medwave | Meta Analysis

Citation

Trincado Javier, Caneo Constanza. Is augmentation with folate effective for major depressive disorder?. Medwave. 2018-Feb-25;18(1):e7156. doi:10.5867/medwave.2018.01.7155

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Antidepressant treatment does not lead to a satisfactory response in a significant proportion of patients with depression. It has been postulated that co-administration of pharmacologically standardized nutrients (nutraceuticals), such as folate, would potentiate the effect of antidepressants. METHODS: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified four systematic reviews including nine studies overall, of which eight were randomized trials. We concluded augmentation with folate for the treatment of major depressive disorder probably results in little or no difference in depressive symptoms. It would be interesting to evaluate the effects of specific presentation forms of folate or in population with objective folate deficit.

Key Findings

We identified four systematic reviews including nine studies overall, of which eight were randomized trials. We concluded augmentation with folate for the treatment of major depressive disorder probably results in little or no difference in depressive symptoms. It would be interesting to evaluate the effects of specific presentation forms of folate or in population with objective folate deficit.

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population depression
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Databases, Factual
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Folic Acid
  • Humans
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09