Posted by linkadge on March 11, 2016, at 16:25:37
In reply to Re: Trying methylfolate, posted by SLS on March 11, 2016, at 6:56:21
Hi Scott,
I read this study, and was somewhat confused by the results. My thoughts....
It could be that there is a difference in the efficacy of methylfolate between unipolar and bipolar depression. What works for unipolar can doesn't always improve bipolar.
I know some bipolar is actually associated with elevated serotonin levels. Drugs like Seroquel (serotonin antagonist) and lamotrigine would be expected to antagonise serotonin induced glutamate release. Methylfolate might antagonise this action.
It could be that some bipolar patients are 'overmethylated'. Adding methyl donors to schizophrenia, for instance, can make symptoms worse.
There could be a more specific interaction between lamotrigine and folate. Folate has been shown to improve times to reduce manic and depressive symptoms when added to valproate and or lithium (in different studies).
I understand lamotrigine works to antagonise folate. Individuals for whom lamotrigine works, may have some functional folate hyperactivity. Alternativly it could be a sodium channel thing. I understand lamotrine reduces whereas folate activates sodium channel activity.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:1087015
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20160306/msgs/1087056.html