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 .
The switch mechanism and the bipolar/unipolar dichotomy.
During open trials of intravenous and oral S-adenosyl methionine ( SAM ) and a placebo-controlled trial of intravenous SAM in 29 patients , 25 patients had SAM and four had placebo ( 27 courses of SAM , two of the patients receiving two trials a piece ) . Nine of 11 bipolar patients ( all SAM-treated ) switched into elevated mood state ( hypomania , mania and euphoria ) and two did not respond . Six endogenous unipolar patients improved and five did not . No non-endogenous patient or placebo patient responded for more than 14 days . No unipolar patient switched into elated mood . In eleven ( 38 % ) trials and nine ( 33 % ) patients there was a switch from depression to elation . Biochemical data from the cerebrospinal fluid of eight patients suggested that the role of the dopaminergic system should be further explored
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 .