The associations between dietary choline, genetics and anxiety/depression
Choline, previously considered to be a vitamin, is an essential nutrient involved in a plethora of biological pathways. Choline status is thought to be associated with depression and anxiety, however, the lack of evidence regarding the exact mechanism of its action warrants further investigation. This study aims to explore the associations between dietary choline and depression and anxiety in healthy individuals and how these may differ according to genetics, specifically Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase gene involved in endogenous and exogenous choline metabolism. Establishing these associations could reinforce the need for future intervention trials that could in turn establish causality and determine the mechanistic effects of dietary choline and the PEMT gene activity on depression/anxiety
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
St Mary's University
London, United Kingdom
Depression
Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaire score higher than 11
Time frame: 1 day observation
Anxiety
Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaire score higher than 11
Time frame: 1 day observation
Choline intake
Dietary choline intake
Time frame: 3 day observation
Plasma choline levels
Choline levels in plasma obtained by colorimetry
Time frame: 1 measurement
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