10.01.10
Nutraceutical: SAMe
Indication: Major depressive disorder
Source: Am J Psychiatry, August 2010;167:942-948.
Research: There is a modest amount of literature exploring the efficacy of SAMe as monotherapy in depression, but this was the first study to explore its adjunctive use. A total of 73 adults were enrolled in this 6-week study and randomly assigned to the placebo control group or the SAMe treatment group (800 mg twice daily). Both treatments were added to the ongoing antidepressant regimen.
Results: SAMe-treated subjects had a greater response and remission rate to treatment than the placebo-treated group. Researchers believe SAM-e could be an effective, relatively well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for adults with major depressive disorders who do not respond to their treatment with antidepressant medication. They also said more research is needed to further the understanding of the role of SAMe in the treatment of adults diagnosed with depression. While adjunctive SAMe therapy is promising, researchers noted that it could not yet be recommended for widespread clinical use.