scholarly journals Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Unipolar Depression: A Placebo-Controlled Study and Review of the Importance of Dosing and Magnesium Status in the Therapeutic Response

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Ryszewska-Pokraśniewicz ◽  
Anna Mach ◽  
Michał Skalski ◽  
Piotr Januszko ◽  
Zbigniew Wawrzyniak ◽  
...  

Animal studies using tests and models have demonstrated that magnesium exerts an antidepressant effect. The literature contains few studies in humans involving attempts to augment antidepressant therapy with magnesium ions. The purpose of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of antidepressant treatment, in combination with magnesium ions. A total of 37 participants with recurrent depressive disorder who developed a depressive episode were included in this study. As part of this double-blind study, treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine was accompanied with either magnesium ions (120 mg/day as magnesium aspartate) or placebo. During an 8-week treatment period, each patient was monitored for any clinical abnormalities. Moreover, serum fluoxetine and magnesium levels were measured, and pharmaco-electroencephalography was performed. The fluoxetine + magnesium and fluoxetine + placebo groups showed no significant differences in either Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) scores or serum magnesium levels at any stage of treatment. Multivariate statistical analysis of the whole investigated group showed that the following parameters increased the odds of effective treatment: lower baseline HDRS scores, female gender, smoking, and treatment augmentation with magnesium. The parameters that increased the odds of remission were lower baseline HDRS scores, shorter history of disease, the presence of antidepressant-induced changes in the pharmaco-EEG profile at 6 h after treatment, and the fact of receiving treatment augmented with magnesium ions. The limitation of this study is a small sample size.

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. CMPsy.S20765
Author(s):  
Murielle Girard ◽  
Karine Vuilliers-Devillers ◽  
Emilie Pinault ◽  
Barbara Bessette ◽  
Brigitte Plansont ◽  
...  

We investigated the serum protein profiles of subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD), with (n = 4) and without clinical improvement (n = 4), at the initiation of antidepressant treatment (venlafaxine) (T0) and 4 weeks later (T28), by difference gel electrophoresis in two dimensions (2D-DIGE) and mass spectrometry. The nine proteins displaying differences in composition between the two time points in the group with clinical improvement between T0 and T28 included gelsolin, clusterin, and the activated fragment of complement C3 (C3a). We then analyzed serum samples from MDD subjects receiving different antidepressants between T0 and T28. Subjects were classified into two groups, with (n = 17) or without (n = 14) clinical improvement (>50% decrease in baseline Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score), at T28. Clusterin levels did not differ between groups at either time point. Gelsolin and C3a levels differed between T0 and T28 only in the group presenting clinical improvement. A comparison with serum samples from controls suggested that the levels of these two proteins changed during MDD and were potentially modified after successful antidepressant treatment. Despite the small sample size, the results of this pilot study suggest that several changes in the expression of some serum proteins occur in association with the clinical relevance of the treatment, and indicate changes to general pathways requiring further study.


2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 424-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Lemoine ◽  
J Fondarai ◽  
T Faivre

The aim of this study was to investigate for the effects of valpromide on heart rate circadian rhythm in remitted recurrent unipolar and bipolar disorders (DSM-III-R). It consisted of a comparative, randomized, double-blind, repeated cross-over study of valpromide versus placebo over four four-week periods. The primary evaluation criteria was heart rate (HR). Secondary criteria comprised motor activity (MA) and the Bech and Rafaelsen mania assessment scale, Horne and Ostberg questionnaire, Montgomery and Asberg depression rating scale, Spiegel questionnaire, a sleep diary, and Clinical Global Impression. Fifteen patients were included, giving 60 one-month periods (30 valpromide periods and 30 placebo periods).Cosinor analysis of HR and MA data revealed a difference in amplitude (P = 0.037, analysis of variance, one-tailed test).The clinical sleep study shows that the duration of sleep was greater with valpromide than with placebo (P = 0.007, one-tailed test). Similarly, evaluation of the quality of sleep by patients themselves showed valpromide to be superior to placebo (P = 0.045, one-tailed test). The results of analysis of the Spiegel questionnaire also confirm the superiority of valpromide over placebo. Safety and compliance were comparable for the active drug and the placebo.In conclusion, the relatively small sample size requires cautious interpretation of this study. Nevertheless, these initial results show a definite effect of valpromide on a biological rhythm that leads one to suppose that it may be effective through a ‘synchronizing’ effect.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Agnieszka M. Piróg-Balcerzak ◽  
Anna K. Bażyńska ◽  
Katarzyna Biernacka ◽  
Joanna Brągoszewska ◽  
Lidia Popek ◽  
...  

Objective. Omega–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were tested in adolescent depression and in several neurodevelopmental disorders with partial success. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by deficiencies in fatty food intake and frequent comorbidity, including depressive and cognitive symptoms. Thus supplementation with PUFAs may be beneficial in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to assess whether PUFAs as an add-on treatment is associated with better improvement of body mass index (BMI) and psychopathological symptoms than placebo in patients with AN. Method. 61 female adolescent inpatients with AN were randomly allocated to omega–3 PUFAs supplementation or placebo for 10 weeks. Patients also participated in the behavioural programme and eclectic psychotherapy (treatment as usual, TAU). At baseline and follow-up visits, patients’ BMI and psychopathology were assessed with Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Patient Global Impression Scale (PGI), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). Results. After 10 weeks, both groups showed improvement in all parameters. Improvement in CGI scores was observed greater in placebo vs. PUFA-s group (p = 0.015) while other differences were not statistically significant. Omega–3 PUFAs supplementation appears not to be effective as an add-on treatment in inpatient adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. Conclusions. The results should be analysed with caution due to small sample size and heterogeneity in TAU. As the TAU turned out to be highly effective, additional therapeutic effect of PUFA might not be visible. Nevertheless, that does not explain the tendency for better improvement in the placebo group.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice A Golomb ◽  
Edwin K Kwon ◽  
Michael H Criqui ◽  
Joel E Dimsdale

Background : Case reports have suggested possible effects of lipophilic statins on sleep in some subjects. Most randomized studies evaluating the effect of statins on sleep have had small sample size and short duration (≤ 6 weeks). Whether statins affect sleep on average, favorably or adversely, has been unclear. Goal : To assess the effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on sleep. Subjects : 1016 adult men and women without diabetes or heart disease, with LDL-cholesterol 115–190mg/dL. Design : Randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial of simvastatin 20mg, pravastatin 40mg or placebo for 6 months. Sleep was a prespecified secondary outcome. It was assessed by both an adaptation of the Leeds sleep scale (a visual analog scale of sleep quality); and a rating scale of sleep problems. Both items were measured at baseline and on-treatment. Analysis : Baseline comparability of randomization groups including sleep measures was affirmed. T-test of mean on-treatment sleep scores across randomization groups was performed. This complemented regression analyses, adjusted for baseline values of the respective sleep assessment. Results : Groups were comparable at baseline on variables including both sleep measures. Simvastatin use was associated with significantly worse sleep quality, and significantly greater reported sleep problems than either pravastatin or placebo, by t-test and regression analyses. Pravastatin did not differ significantly from placebo on any sleep outcome. Conclusion : Findings were compatible with the hypothesis that statins may impair sleep in some subjects, and that this impairment may arise selectively with lipophilic statins. Table 1. Effects of Statins on Sleep: Regression Analysis


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Schiena ◽  
G. Franco ◽  
A. Boscutti ◽  
G. Delvecchio ◽  
E. Maggioni ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims In the search for effective therapeutic strategies for depression, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) emerged as a non-invasive, promising treatment. This is because the antidepressant effect of rTMS might be related to neuronal plasticity mechanisms possibly reverting connectivity alterations often observed in depression. Therefore, in this review, we aimed at providing an overview of the findings reported by studies investigating functional and structural connectivity changes after rTMS in depression. Methods A bibliographic search was conducted on PubMed, including studies that used unilateral, excitatory (⩾10 Hz) rTMS treatment targeted on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in unipolar depressed patients. Results The majority of the results showed significant TMS-induced changes in functional connectivity (FC) between areas important for emotion regulation, including the DLPFC and the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, and among regions that are part of the major resting-state networks, such as the Default Mode Network, the Salience Networks and the Central Executive Network. Finally, in diffusion tensor imaging studies, it has been reported that rTMS appeared to increase fractional anisotropy in the frontal lobe. Limitations The small sample size, the heterogeneity of the rTMS stimulation parameters, the concomitant use of psychotropic drugs might have limited the generalisability of the results. Conclusions Overall, rTMS treatment induces structural and FC changes in brain regions and networks implicated in the pathogenesis of unipolar depression. However, whether these changes underlie the antidepressant effect of rTMS still needs to be clarified.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Smith ◽  
A. Rab Razzak ◽  
Amanda L. Blackford ◽  
Jennifer Ensminger ◽  
Catherine Saiki ◽  
...  

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects 30% to 40% of patients with cancer with long-lasting disability. Scrambler therapy (ST) appeared to benefit patients in uncontrolled trials, so we performed a randomized sham-controlled Phase II trial of ST. Methods: The primary end point was “average pain” after 28 days on the Numeric Rating Scale. Each received ten 30-minute sessions of ST on the dermatomes above the painful areas, or sham treatment on the back, typically at L3-5 where the nerve roots would enter the spinal cord. Outcomes included the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)-CIPN and the EORTC CIPN-20 scale. Patients were evaluated before treatment (day 0), day 10, and days 28, 60, and 90. Results: Data regarding pain as a primary outcome were collected for 33 of the 35 patients. There were no significant differences between the sham and the “real” ST group at day 10, 28, 60, or 90, for average pain, the BPI, or EORTC CIPN-20. Individual responses were noted during the ST treatment on the real arm, but most dissipated by day 30. There was improvement in the sensory subscale of the CIPN-20 at 2 months in the “real” group ( P = .14). All “real” patients wanted to continue treatment if available. Discussion: We observed no difference between sham and real ST CIPN treatment. Potential reasons include at least the following: ST does not work; the sham treatment had some effect; small sample size with heterogeneous patients; misplaced electrodes on an area of nonpainful but damaged nerves; or a combination of these factors.


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophia Frangou ◽  
Michael Lewis ◽  
Paul McCrone

BackgroundEpidemiological and clinical studies suggest that increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alleviates unipolar depression.AimsTo examine the efficacy of EPA in treating depression in bipolar disorder.MethodIn a 12-week, double-blind study individuals with bipolar depression were randomly assigned to adjunctive treatment with placebo (n=26) or with 1g/day (n=24) or 2 g/day (n=25) of ethyl-EPA. Primary efficacy was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), with changes in the Young Mania Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) as secondary outcome measures.ResultsThere was no apparent benefit of 2g over 1g ethyl-EPA daily. Significant improvement was noted with ethyl-EPA treatment compared with placebo in the HRSD (P=0.04) and the CGI (P=0.004) scores. Both doses were well tolerated.ConclusionsAdjunctive ethyl-EPA is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in bipolar depression.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 390-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N de la Torre ◽  
Ismael Castaneda ◽  
Aram F. Hezel ◽  
Newell F. Bascomb ◽  
Gouri Shankar Bhattacharyya ◽  
...  

390 Background: Propranolol and etodolac (designated VT-122) target the adrenergic and prostaglandin stress systems activated in HCC. These stress-induced systems are proposed to induce changes in the tumor microenvironment and immune system leading to tumor promotion and immune tolerance. In a separate study, administration of VT-122 prior to sorafenib showed an increase in median overall survival (OS) of 21 months when VT-122 is administered before sorafenib compared to 10 months OS for sorafenib alone. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of administering VT-122 at least 30 days after starting sorafenib. Methods: Patients with HCC receiving sorafenib for at least 30 days were eligible for this double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized to receive sorafenib with either VT-122 or placebo. Patients received therapy for up to 12 months or until treatment failure. VT-122 was administered twice daily. The primary endpoint was duration of therapy (DoT) and the secondary endpoint was OS. Results: Twenty patients were randomized, 11 and 9 patients to the VT122 and placebo arm, respectively. Each arm was balanced with regards to age (mean of 60.4 years), Child Pugh status (9 Child Pugh A, 11 Child Pugh B7), hepatitis virus status (6 HBV and 1 HCV positive) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (20.4 mg/L). VT122 with sorafenib was well tolerated with no unexpected serious adverse events reported. Mean OS was 13.9 months and 9.6 months in the VT-122 and placebo arms, respectively. Mean DoT (unvalidated) was 10.1 months and 7.5 months in the VT-122 and placebo arms, respectively. Conclusions: Co-administration of VT-122 with sorafenib was well tolerated and showed an increase in duration of therapy and OS versus sorafenib alone. The small sample size and number of events precludes the ability to make any significant efficacy conclusions. The increase in survival was not as great as that seen in a separate study in which VT122 was started prior to sorafenib. A further Phase 3 study of VT122 administered prior to sorafenib in patients with HCC is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01265576.


2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 382-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Poulet ◽  
J. Brunelin ◽  
C. Boeuve ◽  
J. Lerond ◽  
T. D’Amato ◽  
...  

AbstractIn a double blind controlled study, rTMS results in a similar antidepressant effect to sham in combination with paroxetine. Both groups had the same delay in scale’s scores improvement. rTMS seems not to be efficient as an add-on treatment to pharmacological medication in non-resistant major depression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (8) ◽  
pp. 383-388
Author(s):  
Pawel Lizis ◽  
Wojciech Kobza ◽  
Grzegorz Manko ◽  
Jaroslaw Jaszczur-Nowicki ◽  
Joanna Bukowska ◽  
...  

Introduction: Numerous modalities of conservative therapeutic interventions are available to achieve the best health benefits in people with Low Back Pain (LBP), e.g., kinesiotherapy, physical therapy, behavior therapy. People with LBP continue to experience pain and disability despite receiving the best evidence based therapy. Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) and Kaltenborn-Evjenth Ortopedic Manual Therapy (KEOMT) are the other options, although their effectiveness remains controversial. The aim of this study is a proposal for a protocol for randomized trials to compare the effectiveness of OMT vs. KEOMT on pain and disability in people suffering from LBP. Methods and analysis: It's a randomized study with two-arms parallel, designed with concealed allocation, the assessor's blinding with intention to-treat analysis. It will include 34 people a group with severe disability ranged from 41 to 60% in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). There will be two groups: a treatment group (OMT) and a comparison group (KEOMT). All the patients in both groups will receive 2 treatments a week for 5 weeks. Each session in both groups will not exceed 30 minutes. During each session OMT and KEOMT techniques will be repeated 3 times. A baseline assessment will be performed pre and post intervention, two days later. The following parameters will be assessed during the evaluations: Numeric Pain Rating Scale – NPRS, ODI. Ethics and dissemination: The trial was approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee of University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland. Registration approval number: 9/2018. Trial registration: The study protocol was prospectively registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on December 28, 2019 (registration ID: ChiCTR1900028580). Strengths and Limitations of this Study The participants' random allocation to the experimental and the control groups. The same experienced physiotherapist, blind to the outcome measures, provides the interventions. The same assistant, blind to the group allocation, administrates the outcomes. The same number of the interventions, the compared contact time with the physiotherapist providing the interventions. A short follow-up period and/or a rather small sample size.


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