title: The effect of nicotine patch therapy on depression in nonsmokers: a preliminary study.
abstract: Prior uncontrolled studies of nonsmokers with major depressive disorder (MDD) indicate rapid reduction in depressive symptoms with nicotine patch therapy. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study examined the effect of nicotine patch therapy on depressive symptoms in non-medicated nonsmokers with current MDD. Due to recruitment difficulties, only 7 were enrolled and of these 6 (5 females, 1 male) completed the study. Participants received either placebo (n = 4) or active (n = 2) patch therapy for 8 days. They completed daily clinic visits during patch therapy and a final visit on Day 12. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). The mean change in HRSD scores of all participants decreased (p = 0.021) from baseline by Day 1 of patch use. Similar decreases in HRSD scores were observed for placebo and active patch groups. Among the placebo participants, the mean HRSD score decreased (p = 0.038) by Day 2. The study needs replication with a larger sample and utilizing novel recruitment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Nicotine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa Sanderson
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Christi A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Patten
authors.forename: Lois E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Krahn
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hurt
authors.forename: Ivana T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Croghan
authors.forename: Troy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: Darrell R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tri
authors.forename: Kenneth P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Offord
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012907:Smoking; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine