SAMe was not different from placebo and established antidepressants .
The exception was that compared to imipramine , fewer participants experienced troublesome adverse effects when treated with parenteral SAMe .
BACKGROUND Depression is a recurrent illness with high rates of chronicity , treatment-resistance and significant economic impact .
There is evidence in the literature that S-adenosyl methionine ( SAMe ) , a naturally occurring compound in the human body , has antidepressant efficacy .
This product may be an important addition to the armamentarium of antidepressant agents .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of SAMe in comparison with placebo or antidepressants for the treatment of depression in adults .
Cerebrospinal fluid S-adenosylmethionine in depression and dementia: effects of treatment with parenteral and oral S-adenosylmethionine.
Cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) S-adenosylmethionine ( SAM ) levels were significantly lower in severely depressed patients than in a neurological control group . The administration of SAM either intravenously or orally is associated with a significant rise of CSF SAM , indicating that it crosses the blood-brain barrier in humans . These observations provide a rational basis for the antidepressant effect of SAM , which has been confirmed in several countries . CSF SAM levels were low in a group of patients with Alzheimer 's dementia suggesting a possible disturbance of methylation in such patients and the need for trials of SAM treatment
SAMe was not different from placebo and established antidepressants .
The exception was that compared to imipramine , fewer participants experienced troublesome adverse effects when treated with parenteral SAMe .
BACKGROUND Depression is a recurrent illness with high rates of chronicity , treatment-resistance and significant economic impact .
There is evidence in the literature that S-adenosyl methionine ( SAMe ) , a naturally occurring compound in the human body , has antidepressant efficacy .
This product may be an important addition to the armamentarium of antidepressant agents .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of SAMe in comparison with placebo or antidepressants for the treatment of depression in adults .