Recent research has linked low levels of Acetyl-L-Carnitine to depression.

In earlier studies, a deficiency of Acetyl-L-Carnitine was correlated with depressive type behaviour in rodents – and rapid and long-lasting anti-depressant like effects were noted in the rodent population after supplementation of Acetyl-L-Carnitine.  This correlation led researchers to consider that Acetyl-L-Carnitine plays an important role in brain function.

Building on this previous data using rodents, researchers evaluated Acetyl-L-Carnitine levels in humans with major depressive disorder – MDD.

Surprisingly lower levels of Acetyl-L-Carnitine were evident in those with major depressive disorder.  The lower the substance level, the more severe the depressive symptoms – and these participants were more treatment resistant, also having earlier symptom onset.

Treating major depressive disorder with Acetyl-L-Carnitine is still in question – currently it is not considered as a therapeutic for depressive symptoms.  There are still questions to be answered – what is the mechanism of action? How much and how often should it be administered?  Hopefully future studies may assist in finding individualized treatment for people whose depression has a biological basis.

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30061399