title: S-adenosylmethionine treatment of depression: a controlled clinical trial.
abstract: The antidepressant properties of S-adenosylmethionine, an endogenous methyl donor, were studied in inpatients who met the DSM-III criteria for major depression. Nine patients given intravenous S-adenosylmethionine and nine given low oral doses of imipramine were compared in a double-blind design for 14 days. The S-adenosylmethionine produced superior results by the end of the first week of treatment. By the end of the second week, 66% of the S-adenosylmethionine patients had a clinically significant improvement in depressive symptoms, compared to 22% of the imipramine patients. Side effects appeared to be fewer with S-adenosylmethionine than with imipramine during the last 5 days of the study.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D007099:Imipramine