Citation

Marangell LB, George MS, Callahan AM, Ketter TA, Pazzaglia PJ, L'Herrou TA, Leverich GS, Post RM. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 1997; 54(3): 214-222.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830150034007

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic effects of the tripeptide protirelin (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) have been postulated in the affective disorders, but direct assessment in humans has been hindered by poor blood- brain barrier permeability.

METHODS: Eight medication-free inpatients with refractory depression received 500 μg of protirelin via a lumbar intrathecal injection and an identical sham lumbar puncture procedure, separated by 1 week, in a double-blind crossover design.

RESULTS: Five of eight patients responded to intrathecal protirelin, defined as a 50% or greater reduction in an abbreviated Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score. Suicidality also was reduced significantly (P<.05) Responses were rapid and clinically robust, but short-lived.

CONCLUSION: Administration of protirelin by an intrathecal route induced a rapid improvement in mood and suicidality in these refractory depressed patients, supporting the hypothesis that thyrotropin-releasing hormone could be a positive modulator of mood.

Language: en