Double-blind treatment of major depression with dehydroepiandrosterone.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to assess possible antidepressant effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an abundant adrenocortical hormone in humans.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with major depression, either medication-free or on stabilized antidepressant regimens, received either DHEA (maximum dose = 90 mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks in a double-blind manner and were rated at baseline and at the end of the 6 weeks with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Patients previously stabilized with antidepressants had the study medication added to that regimen; others received DHEA or placebo alone.


RESULTS
DHEA was associated with a significantly greater decrease in Hamilton depression scale ratings than was placebo. Five of the 11 patients treated with DHEA, compared with none of the 11 given placebo, showed a 50% decrease or greater in depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that DHEA treatment may have significant antidepressant effects in some patients with major depression. Further, larger-scale trials are warranted.
Wolkowitz
O M
OM
Department of Psychiatry, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, USA. owenw@itsa.ucsf.edu
Reus
V I
VI
Keebler
A
A
Nelson
N
N
Friedland
M
M
Brizendine
L
L
Roberts
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone