title: In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, adjuvant atorvastatin improved symptoms of depression and blood lipid values in patients suffering from severe major depressive disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The administration of statins seems to be a promising new avenue in the treatment of patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), though patients suffering from severe MDD remain unstudied in this respect. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate, in a randomized double-blind clinical trial, the influence of adjuvant atorvastatin on symptoms of depression in patients with MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 patients suffering from MDD (mean age: 32.25 years; 53% males) received a standard medication of 40 mg/d citalopram. Next, patients were randomly assigned either to the atorvastatin group (20 mg/d) or to the placebo group. Blood lipid values were assessed at baseline and on completion of the study 12 weeks later. Experts rated depressive symptoms via Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HDRS) at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 weeks later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HDRS scores decreased over time; the significant Time by Group interaction showed that symptoms of depression decreased more in the atorvastatin than in the placebo group. Compared to the placebo group, in the atorvastatin group cholesterol, triglyceride, and Low Density Lipids (LDL) significantly decreased, and High Density Lipids (HDL) significantly increased over time. HDRS scores and blood lipid values were generally not associated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pattern of results suggests that adjuvant atorvastatin favorably influences symptoms of depression among patients with severe MDD. Given that after 12 weeks of monotherapy and adjuvant atorvastatin patients were still moderately to severely depressed, more powerful treatment algorithms such as augmentation and change of medication are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substances Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substances Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khodakarami
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substances Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jahangard
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substances Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadpanah
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry & Psychology Research Center (PPRC), Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhonpathom, Thailand.
authors.forename: Hafez
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bajoghli
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Basel, Switzerland; Department of Sport and Health Science, Division of Sport Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: serge.brand@upkbs.ch.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D008055:Lipids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin
keywords: Atorvastatin; Blood lipid values; Major depressive disorder; Randomized double-blind clinical trial