@article{ref1,
title="Effects of intrathecal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (protirelin) in refractory depressed patients",
journal="Archives of general psychiatry",
year="1997",
author="Marangell, L.B. and George, M.S. and Callahan, A.M. and Ketter, T.A. and Pazzaglia, P.J. and L'Herrou, T.A. and Leverich, G.S. and Post, R.M.",
volume="54",
number="3",
pages="214-222",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-990X",
doi="10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830150034007",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830150034007"
}