Can MTHFR Deficiency Cause Depression?

Posted on Wed, 11 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 Answered on

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : can mthfr cause depression

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,MTHFR deficiency is associated with depression.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR )gene gives instructions for making an enzyme known as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.This enzyme plays a role in processing aminoacids like folate vitamin.

Many studies indicate that folate deficiency is associated with depression.Folate deficiency is associated with low levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) which causes depression.
So,MTHFR deficiency is associated with depression.

Hope I have answered your question.
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Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar