[St. John's wort extract in the ambulatory therapy of depression. Attention and reaction ability are preserved].
METHODS
In a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial involving outpatients with mild to moderately severe depression, an extract of St. John's wort (Hypericum), LI 160, a herbal antidepressant was tested for efficacy and tolerability, as well as for possible negative effects on cognitive performance.


RESULTS
The responder rate to treatment with the extract was 66.6% as compared with only 26.7% with placebo. The treatment was very well tolerated; only in two patients did transient minor side effects occur under LI 160. No impairment of cognitive performance was observed: during the trial, Hypericum did not lead to any impairment of attention, concentration or reaction.
Schmidt
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IMF Gesellschaft für Interdisziplinäre medizinische Forschung mbH, Köln.
Sommer
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D010936:Plant Extracts
Johanniskraut-Extrakt zur ambulanten Therapie der Depression. Aufmerksamkeit und Reaktionsvermögen bleiben erhalten.