L-Methylfolate For Bipolar I depressive episodes: An open trial proof-of-concept registry

•Little data examine L-methylfolate as a treatment for bipolar depression.•Patients in a major depressive episode were treated with L-methylfolate.•There was an average improvement in depressive ratings in QIDS-SR and MADRS.•There was a small mean decrease in YMRS for this sample.•L-methylfolate has the potential to be helpful for patients with bipolar depression.

BackgroundL-methylfolate is a compelling candidate to treat bipolar I major depressive episodes. While approved as an adjunct for unipolar major depressive disorder, no studies have been done to assess the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of L-methylfolate for bipolar depression. As a first step, we developed a registry of bipolar patients treated with L-methylfolate to examine tolerability and outcomes.MethodsSubjects (N=10) received treatment as usual plus daily L-methylfolate 15 mg for 6 weeks in this open-label registry. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and manic symptoms with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Effect size was measured with Cohen's d to provide an estimate of potential efficacy.ResultsThe pre-treatment mean (SD) MADRS score was 23.4 (4.34); the post-treatment score was 13.9 (8.24). Cohen's d was 1.19. At post-treatment, 6/10 patients had at least 50% MADRS improvement, and 4/10 patients exhibited remission with MADRS≤10. The pre-treatment YMRS score was 3.2 (3.0); the post-treatment score was 2.7 (5.2). Cohen's d was 0.17.LimitationsThis registry was a small open-label clinical trial for a fluctuating disorder. We cannot rule out that our results are due to regression to the mean. A controlled trial is warranted.ConclusionsThis first proof-of-concept open registry suggests that L-methylfolate in combination with treatment as usual has potential to treat bipolar depression.