The Bournewood Educational Foundation, Inc. presents
Monthly Medical Grand Rounds
at Bournewood
Monday, March 21, 2016 12 noon in the Intervale Living Room
Bournewood Hospital 300 South St., Brookline, MA
Folic Acid as an Augmentation Strategy
for the Treatment of Depression
presented by
James Greenblatt, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Services
Walden Behavioral Care, Waltham
Nutrients support the biochemical reactions necessary for appropriate brain function and mood regulation. Folic acid, or folate, is required for normal cell development and neurotransmitter metabolism. The link between folate and depression has been documented for decades and researchers have found that folate deficiencies can significantly increase depression rates and relapse and may also disrupt the efficacy of pharmacological interventions. A biological marker with growing interest in the field of psychiatry is the methlentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Studies have found that people with variants of the MTHFR gene have a higher incidence of depression and require higher levels of folate supplementation. In this presentation, Dr. Greenblatt will review how to use functional medicine testing to identify nutritional deficiencies and discuss folic acid as an effective adjunct therapy for patients with depression.
Learning objectives: Following this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Understand the role of malnutrition and effective strategies to support sustained recovery as well as relapse prevention.
- Use functional medicine testing to identify nutritional deficiencies that may exacerbate psychiatric symptoms.
- Identify effective augmentation strategies for antidepressant treatment such as L-methylfolate and other nutrients.
Bournewood Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (TM). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Bournewood Hospital is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
| 
