Is SAMe Effective Depression Treatment?

SAMe for Depression

A recent study suggests that SAMe in conjunction with antidepressants may be an effective treatment for major depression.

SAMe, also known as S-adenosyl-L-methionine, is formed in the body and works as a methyl group donor in many reactions. SAMe has been studied for use in many psychiatric disorders; however, further research is necessary before conclusions can be made regarding its effectiveness.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School evaluated the effects of SAMe on 73 major depressive disorder patients who were non-responsive to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (antidepressants) throughout this six-week-long study. The patients were randomized to receive 800 milligrams of SAMe or a placebo twice daily. All patients continued taking their antidepressant treatments. The researchers used the Hamilton depression rating scale to evaluate each patient.

The researchers found that patients who were treated with SAMe presented response rates of 36.1 percent and remission rates of 25.8 percent, while patients treated with the placebo presented response and remission rates of only 17.6 and 11.7 percent, respectively.
The researchers concluded that SAMe may be a safe and effective treatment in conjunction with serotonin reuptake inhibitors for patients who are not responsive to antidepressants alone. Additional research is necessary to further evaluate these potential benefits.

For more information about SAMe, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.

References
1. Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
2. Papakostas GI, Mischoulon D, Shyu I, et al. S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors for antidepressant nonresponders with major depressive disorder: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2010 Aug;167(8):942-8. Epub 2010 Jul 1. View Abstract

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