Chromium potentiation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder in 5 patients.
BACKGROUND
Dysthymic disorder is a relatively common illness that is often treated with antidepressants. Compared with the study of major depression, there has been little systematic study of potentiation strategies for antidepressant-refractory dysthymic disorder.


METHODS
Following a patient's report of dramatic response to the addition of chromium supplementation to sertraline pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder (DSM-IV), the authors initiated a series of single-blind and open-label trials of chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate in the treatment of antidepressant-refractory dysthymic disorder.


RESULTS
In a series of 5 patients, chromium supplementation led to remission of dysthymic symptoms. Single-blind substitution of other dietary supplements in each of the patients demonstrated specificity of response to chromium supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Preliminary observations suggest that chromium may potentiate antidepressant pharmacotherapy for dysthymic disorder. Controlled studies are indicated to test the validity of these initial observations.
McLeod
M N
MN
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7160, USA.
Gaynes
B N
BN
Golden
R N
RN
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002857:Chromium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010848:Picolinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010848:Picolinic Acids; D002857:Chromium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D020280:Sertraline; C030614:picolinic acid