Acetyl-L-carnitine deficiency and major depressive disorder

In a study of 116 people, ages 20-70 years, individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) had lower blood levels of acetyl-L-carnitine (LAC) than healthy controls and the LAC deficiency increased with disease severity and decreasing age of onset; patients with low LAC levels tended not to respond to standard antidepressant medications and to report higher rates of childhood abuse than controls, suggesting that LAC might aid the diagnosis of a type of severe, trauma-associated depression.

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Article #18-01609: "Acetyl-L-carnitine deficiency in patients with major depressive disorder," by Carla Nasca et al.

MEDIA CONTACT: Bruce McEwen, Rockefeller University, New York, NY; tel: 212-327-8624, 908-255-4138; e-mail: mcewen@mail.rockefeller.edu; Carla Nasca, Rockefeller University, New York, NY; tel: 212-327-8625, 917-755-1913; e-mail: cnasca@rockefeller.edu