Beyond Ageing Project: A Study for the Prevention of Depression

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether folate and vitamin B12, physical activity and mental health literacy can prevent depression, and folate and vitamin B12 and physical activity can prevent cognitive impairment in older people. Also the study aims to assess the benefits for older people in improving their knowledge about mental health in relation to depression.

Timeline

Start

2005-10

Primary completion

2011-01

Completion

2011-01

Publications

• Walker JG, Batterham PJ, Mackinnon AJ, Jorm AF, Hickie I, Fenech M, Kljakovic M, Crisp D, Christensen H. Oral folic acid and vitamin B-12 supplementation to prevent cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms--the Beyond Ageing Project: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Jan;95(1):194-203. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.007799. Epub 2011 Dec 14.
• Christensen H, Aiken A, Batterham PJ, Walker J, Mackinnon AJ, Fenech M, Hickie IB. No clear potentiation of antidepressant medication effects by folic acid+vitamin B12 in a large community sample. J Affect Disord. 2011 Apr;130(1-2):37-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2010.07.029.
• Walker JG, Mackinnon AJ, Batterham P, Jorm AF, Hickie I, McCarthy A, Fenech M, Christensen H. Mental health literacy, folic acid and vitamin B12, and physical activity for the prevention of depression in older adults: randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2010 Jul;197(1):45-54. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.109.075291.

Drugs

Indications