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L-Methylfolate as a Monotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Case Study.
Angela Hardin1, Carrie Baldwin-Sayre1
1National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Health Centers, Portland, Oregon.
Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.)
|November 2, 2020
Summary
This case study highlights L-methylfolate as a potential monotherapy for treatment-resistant depression and fatigue. Genetic testing guided the personalized approach for a patient with long-standing symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Investigates a case of long-standing depression and fatigue (20+ years) in a 49-year-old Asian American female.
- Conventional antidepressant pharmacotherapies proved ineffective for the patient's persistent symptoms.
Observation:
- Comprehensive evaluation included patient history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and Genomind Genecept Assay genetic testing.
- The assessment aimed to determine symptom severity, rule out organic causes of fatigue, and identify a novel monotherapy strategy.
Findings:
- Genetic testing results informed the therapeutic decision-making process.
- Intervention involved a slow dose titration of L-methylfolate, reaching a final daily dose of 15 mg.
Implications:
- Suggests L-methylfolate as a potential monotherapy for treatment-resistant depression, particularly when guided by genetic testing.
- Highlights the role of personalized medicine in managing complex psychiatric conditions.
- Emphasizes the need for exploring alternative therapeutic avenues beyond standard antidepressants.
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