Harvard Researchers Begin Trial CombiningSAM-e, Rx Meds for Depression

Harvard Researchers Begin Trial CombiningSAM-e, Rx Meds for Depression

BOSTON--Researchers from Harvard Medical Schoolannounced plans for a trial that will investigate the antidepressive effects ofS-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) in combination with prescription antidepressants.Some of the prescription medications planned for use in the trial includefluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). The eight-weekopen trial, which will be conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, willinvolve 30 patients (men and women, aged 18 to 75 years) with major depressivedisorders.

Because antidepressant medications often cause severe sideeffects, many patients are hesitant to begin prescription therapy. "[W]eknow that 50 percent of patients will have a less than ideal response orexperience intolerable side effects the first time they try a traditional agent,and many lose hope when prescribed one prescriptive treatment afteranother," said Jonathan Alpert, M.D., Ph.D., the study's principalinvestigator. "This has really motivated our interests to developguidelines for better use of existing treatments while pursuing promising leadsthat may result in novel treatments for depression."

In pursuing new treatments for depression, Alpert and hiscolleagues are looking to SAM-e for adjuvant support for depressed patients onmedication. "Since there are more than 40 clinical trials that suggest SAM-e'seffectiveness for depression as a stand alone therapy, we are eager to study itseffectiveness and safety as a possible alternative for use in combination with aprescription antidepressant," Alpert said.

Alpert also stressed, however, that combination therapy shouldonly be tried under medical supervision, as more clinical research is needed inthis area. In addition, he noted that antidepressants, including SAM-e, mayexacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic-depression).