title: Oral S-adenosylmethionine in depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Methylation has been implicated in the etiology of psychiatric illness. Parenteral S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl group donor, has been shown to be an effective antidepressant. The authors studied the antidepressant effect of oral S-adenosylmethionine in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 15 inpatients with major depression. The results suggest that oral S-adenosylmethionine is a safe, effective antidepressant with few side effects and a rapid onset of action. S-Adenosylmethionine induced mania in a patient with no history of mania. S-Adenosylmethionine may be useful for patients who cannot tolerate tricyclic anti-depressants. These findings support a role for methylation in the pathophysiology of depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, CA.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Kagan
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Sultzer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rosenlicht
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gerner
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine