Folate for depressive disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The objective of this review was to determine the effectiveness, adverse effects and acceptability of folate in the treatment of depression. Electronic databases (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and the Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Controlled Trials Register) and reference lists were searched, and authors, experts and pharmaceutical companies contacted to identify randomized controlled trials that compared treatment with folic acid or 5'-methyltetrahydrofolic acid to an alternative treatment, for patients with a diagnosis of depressive disorder. Three randomized trials (247 participants) were included.

Relapse prevention with antidepressant drug treatment in depressive disorders: a systematic review.

Background: Antidepressant drugs can promote remission from acute depressive episodes. Our aim was to establish how long such treatments should be continued to prevent relapse.

Method: We did a systematic overview of evidence from randomised trials of continuing treatment with antidepressants in patients with depressive disorders who have responded to acute treatment.