Optimizing the Effectiveness of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment-Resistant Depression - Full Text View

Sponsored by:	National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Information provided by:	National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00093847

Purpose

This study will determine the effectiveness of adding S-adenosyl methionine to antidepressant drug treatment in reducing depressive symptoms in depressed people who have not responded to antidepressants alone.

Condition	Intervention	Phase
Depression	Drug: S-adenosyl methione (SAMe) Drug: Placebo	Phase III

MedlinePlus related topics: Depression

Drug Information available for: S-Adenosylmethionine Serotonin Methionine

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study
Official Title:	S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) Augmenation of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

Primary Outcome Measures:

Depressive scales [ Time Frame: Measured at Week 6 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Self-report depression questionnaires [ Time Frame: Measured at Week 6 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment:	80
Study Start Date:	May 2004
Estimated Study Completion Date:	November 2008
Estimated Primary Completion Date:	November 2008 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Arms	Assigned Interventions
1: Experimental Participants receiving the oral SAMe tosylate	Drug: S-adenosyl methione (SAMe) Oral SAMe tosylate, up to 1600 mg per day for 6 weeks
2: Placebo Comparator Participants receiving placebo	Drug: Placebo Placebo to be taken daily for 6 weeks

Detailed Description:

Some people with depression do not respond well to antidepressant treatment. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring compound that may have antidepressant effects. SAMe may also enhance the effectiveness of other antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study will determine the effectiveness of oral SAMe in enhancing the effects of SSRIs in patients currently not responding to SSRI treatment.

This study will last 6 weeks. No follow-up visits will occur. Participants will be randomly assigned to add either oral SAMe or placebo to their existing SSRI regimen for 6 weeks. Depression scales and self-report questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms will be used to assess participants at the end of the study.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	18 Years to 80 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Major depressive disorder
Use of an SSRI for at least 6 weeks prior to study entry with partial or no response

Exclusion Criteria:

History of psychosis
Allergy to SAMe
Alcohol or drug abuse in the past 3 months prior to study entry

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00093847

Locations

United States, Massachusetts
Massachusetts General Hospital	Recruiting
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Contact: George I. Papakostas, MD 617-726-6697 gpapakostas@partners.org
Principal Investigator: George I. Papakostas, MD

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Investigators

Principal Investigator:

George I. Papakostas, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital

More Information

Publications:

Papakostas GI, Alpert JE, Fava M. S-adenosyl-methionine in depression: a comprehensive review of the literature. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2003 Dec;5(6):460-6. Review.

Responsible Party:	Massachusetts General Hospital ( George I. Papakostas )
Study ID Numbers:	K23 MH69629, DATR AK-TNET1
Study First Received:	October 6, 2004
Last Updated:	October 17, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00093847
Health Authority:	United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
S-adenosyl Methionine
SSRI
SAMe

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Depression
Mental Disorders
Mood Disorders

Depressive Disorder
Serotonin
Behavioral Symptoms

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Neurotransmitter Agents
Serotonin Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 30, 2009