With L-carnitine for depression? | aponet.de

Mar. July 31, 2018

People who suffer from severe or difficult-to-treat depression have lower levels of acetyl-L-carnitine in their blood, according to a recent US study. The natural substance could serve as a new biomarker and could also be used in the treatment of depression in the future.

Scientists led by Natalie Rasgon of Stanford University compared blood samples from 28 moderate patients and 43 patients with severe depression to blood samples from 45 healthy subjects. It was found that the acetylated form of L-carnitine was found in the blood of depressed people in significantly lower amounts than in people without depression. The lowest concentration had participants with more severe symptoms, patients who had failed various treatments, or who started depression early in life. In addition, acetyl-L-carnitine levels were low in people who reported abuse, neglect, poverty, or childhood violence, researchers report online in the Proceedings. the National Academy of Sciences.

Animal experiments had already shown that the absence of acetyl-L-carnitine was badociated with depressive symptoms. When the drug was administered to the animals, the symptoms improved relatively quickly. Animal studies have indicated that the acetylated form of L-carnitine appears not only to play an important role in lipid metabolism, but also in neurons in certain regions of the brain.

These and current results, however, should not tempt anyone to self-medicate depression with acetyl-L-carnitine, warn scientists. Many questions are always open. "We have identified a new biomarker important for severe depression, but we have not tested whether taking this substance can improve patients' symptoms," Rasgon says. The correct dose, time intervals, and duration of intake should first be tested in large controlled clinical trials before a recommendation can be made.

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