Abstract
Background Given the proposed dopaminergic mechanism of low-dose naltrexone (LDN), we examined its efficacy as augmentation for depressive breakthrough on pro-dopaminergic antidepressant regimens. Methods 12 adults (67% female, mean age = 45±12) with recurrent DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD) on dopaminergic antidepressant regimens (stimulants, dopamine agonists, bupropion [≥300 mg/day], aripiprazole [≤2.5 mg/day], or sertraline [≥150 mg/day]) were randomized to naltrexone 1 mg b.i.d. (n=6) or placebo (n=6) augmentation for 3 weeks. Results All subjects completed the trial. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) scores (primary outcome measure) decreased from 21.2±2.0 to 11.7±7.7 for LDN, from 23.7±2.3 to 17.8±5.9 for placebo (Cohen's d=0.62; p=0.3 between treatment groups). HAM-D-28 scores decreased from 26.2±4.0 to 12.0±9.8 for LDN, from 26.3±2.6 to 19.8±6.6 for placebo (d=1.15; p=0.097). Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-10 item) scores decreased from 30.4±4.9 to 12.2±8.4 for LDN, from 30.7±4.3 to 22.8±8.5) for placebo (d=1.45; p=0.035). MADRS-15 item scores decreased from 36.6±6.2 to 13.2±8.8 for LDN, from 36.7±4.2 to 26.0±10.0 for placebo (d=1.49; p=0.035). Clinical Global Improvement Scale-Severity (CGI-S) scores decreased from 4.3±0.5 to 3.0±1.1 for LDN, from 4.3±0.5 to 4.0±0.6 for placebo (d=1.22; p=0.064). Limitations Small study; restrictions on allowed antidepressants. Conclusion LDN augmentation showed some benefit for MDD relapse on dopaminergic agents. Confirmation in larger studies is needed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 6-14 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Volume | 208 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 15 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Breakthrough
- Depression
- LDN
- Naltrexone
- Relapse
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Randomized, proof-of-concept trial of low dose naltrexone for patients with breakthrough symptoms of major depressive disorder on antidepressants. / Mischoulon, David; Hylek, Lindsay; Yeung, Albert S.; Clain, Alisabet J.; Baer, Lee; Cusin, Cristina; Ionescu, Dawn Flosnik; Alpert, Jonathan E.; Soskin, David P.; Fava, Maurizio.
In: Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 208, 15.01.2017, p. 6-14.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Randomized, proof-of-concept trial of low dose naltrexone for patients with breakthrough symptoms of major depressive disorder on antidepressants
AU - Mischoulon, David
AU - Hylek, Lindsay
AU - Yeung, Albert S.
AU - Clain, Alisabet J.
AU - Baer, Lee
AU - Cusin, Cristina
AU - Ionescu, Dawn Flosnik
AU - Alpert, Jonathan E.
AU - Soskin, David P.
AU - Fava, Maurizio
PY - 2017/1/15
Y1 - 2017/1/15
N2 - Background Given the proposed dopaminergic mechanism of low-dose naltrexone (LDN), we examined its efficacy as augmentation for depressive breakthrough on pro-dopaminergic antidepressant regimens. Methods 12 adults (67% female, mean age = 45±12) with recurrent DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD) on dopaminergic antidepressant regimens (stimulants, dopamine agonists, bupropion [≥300 mg/day], aripiprazole [≤2.5 mg/day], or sertraline [≥150 mg/day]) were randomized to naltrexone 1 mg b.i.d. (n=6) or placebo (n=6) augmentation for 3 weeks. Results All subjects completed the trial. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) scores (primary outcome measure) decreased from 21.2±2.0 to 11.7±7.7 for LDN, from 23.7±2.3 to 17.8±5.9 for placebo (Cohen's d=0.62; p=0.3 between treatment groups). HAM-D-28 scores decreased from 26.2±4.0 to 12.0±9.8 for LDN, from 26.3±2.6 to 19.8±6.6 for placebo (d=1.15; p=0.097). Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-10 item) scores decreased from 30.4±4.9 to 12.2±8.4 for LDN, from 30.7±4.3 to 22.8±8.5) for placebo (d=1.45; p=0.035). MADRS-15 item scores decreased from 36.6±6.2 to 13.2±8.8 for LDN, from 36.7±4.2 to 26.0±10.0 for placebo (d=1.49; p=0.035). Clinical Global Improvement Scale-Severity (CGI-S) scores decreased from 4.3±0.5 to 3.0±1.1 for LDN, from 4.3±0.5 to 4.0±0.6 for placebo (d=1.22; p=0.064). Limitations Small study; restrictions on allowed antidepressants. Conclusion LDN augmentation showed some benefit for MDD relapse on dopaminergic agents. Confirmation in larger studies is needed.
AB - Background Given the proposed dopaminergic mechanism of low-dose naltrexone (LDN), we examined its efficacy as augmentation for depressive breakthrough on pro-dopaminergic antidepressant regimens. Methods 12 adults (67% female, mean age = 45±12) with recurrent DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD) on dopaminergic antidepressant regimens (stimulants, dopamine agonists, bupropion [≥300 mg/day], aripiprazole [≤2.5 mg/day], or sertraline [≥150 mg/day]) were randomized to naltrexone 1 mg b.i.d. (n=6) or placebo (n=6) augmentation for 3 weeks. Results All subjects completed the trial. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-17) scores (primary outcome measure) decreased from 21.2±2.0 to 11.7±7.7 for LDN, from 23.7±2.3 to 17.8±5.9 for placebo (Cohen's d=0.62; p=0.3 between treatment groups). HAM-D-28 scores decreased from 26.2±4.0 to 12.0±9.8 for LDN, from 26.3±2.6 to 19.8±6.6 for placebo (d=1.15; p=0.097). Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-10 item) scores decreased from 30.4±4.9 to 12.2±8.4 for LDN, from 30.7±4.3 to 22.8±8.5) for placebo (d=1.45; p=0.035). MADRS-15 item scores decreased from 36.6±6.2 to 13.2±8.8 for LDN, from 36.7±4.2 to 26.0±10.0 for placebo (d=1.49; p=0.035). Clinical Global Improvement Scale-Severity (CGI-S) scores decreased from 4.3±0.5 to 3.0±1.1 for LDN, from 4.3±0.5 to 4.0±0.6 for placebo (d=1.22; p=0.064). Limitations Small study; restrictions on allowed antidepressants. Conclusion LDN augmentation showed some benefit for MDD relapse on dopaminergic agents. Confirmation in larger studies is needed.
KW - Breakthrough
KW - Depression
KW - LDN
KW - Naltrexone
KW - Relapse
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84991215687&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84991215687&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.029
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.029
M3 - Article
C2 - 27736689
AN - SCOPUS:84991215687
VL - 208
SP - 6
EP - 14
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
SN - 0165-0327
ER -