depression
Pathways
Studies (3)
Antidepressants may lead to a decrease in niacin and NAD in patients with poor dietary intake
Authors hypothesis that antidepressants tilt tryptophan metabolism towards making serotonin instead of niacin, which in turn can lead to niacin/NAD+ deficiency that exacerbates common psychiatric problems.
Plasma acetylcholine and nicotinic acid are correlated with focused preference for photographed females in depressed males: an economic game study
This study showed depressed males have a narrower preference for female photographs (only preferring good looking ones) which is a marker for lower cognitive flexibility. The less nicotinic acid in their body, the narrower their preference. This indicates nicotinic acid may regulate human social decision-making (especially preference-related behaviors) by acting on the HCAR2 in microglia (the resident immune cells of the brain and spinal cord which constantly patrol the cerebral microenvironment to respond to pathogens and damage).
Nicotinic Acid Long-Term Effectiveness in a Patient with Bipolar Type II Disorder: A Case of Vitamin Dependency
Case report of a patient with bipolar disorder who had been on lithium and other bipolar meds who was able to get off all meds after starting taking 1g niacin 3 times a day. He has been stable for 11 years on this niacin supplementation regimen. Stopping niacin leads a return of his symptoms within 2-3 days and clears up in one day after resuming the niacin regimen.