title: Prediction of relapse with the TRH test and prophylactic amitriptyline in 39 patients with endogenous depression.
abstract: The authors conducted a double-blind prospective study of 39 patients with unipolar endogenous depression who recovered after ECT. Thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone (TRH) tests were performed before and after ECT. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their altered TSH response: Persistent remission was predicted for patients in group 1 (N = 15) and relapse was predicted for groups 2A (N = 13) and 2B (N = 11). Patients in groups 1 and 2A received placebo and those in group 2B received amitriptyline for 6 months. Fewer relapses occurred in groups 1 and 2B than in group 2A (p less than .05), showing that relapse can be predicted by the TRH test and prevented by amitriptyline.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010919:Placebos; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D000639:Amitriptyline; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin