Conclusion : Low folate and B12 serum levels seem to be associated with  depression in the aged .
Objectives : To systematic ally review and meta-analyse existing evidence on the association between folate/B12 , and depression among the aged people .
Prediction of Treatment Response in Geriatric Depression From Baseline Folate Level: Interaction With an SSRI or a Tricyclic Antidepressant
Depressed geriatric patients have lower levels of folate ( FOL ) than controls . Also , FOL supplement can reduce depressive morbidity . One hypothesis consistent with this is that FOL deficiency causes a lowering of CNS serotonin that contributes to depression . The present report is from one site of a multicenter study that compared an SSRI ( sertraline ) with a nonspecific tricyclic antidepressant ( nortriptyline ) in geriatric depressed patients . We added measures of FOL at baseline and outcome for 22 depressed patients older than 60 years . Both treatments were effective . At baseline , FOL levels were within the normal range . Higher FOL levels at baseline predicted greater improvement . Further study of FOL interaction with SSRI is warranted . For the group treated with the SSRI , baseline FOL level was a more efficient predictor of improvement , especially for results on a self-rating depression scale ( POMS )
Conclusion : Low folate and B12 serum levels seem to be associated with  depression in the aged .
Objectives : To systematic ally review and meta-analyse existing evidence on the association between folate/B12 , and depression among the aged people .