TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1997//
TI  - Effects of intrathecal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (protirelin) in refractory depressed patients
JO  - Archives of general psychiatry
A1  - Marangell, L.B.
A1  - George, M.S.
A1  - Callahan, A.M.
A1  - Ketter, T.A.
A1  - Pazzaglia, P.J.
A1  - L'Herrou, T.A.
A1  - Leverich, G.S.
A1  - Post, R.M.
SP  - 214
EP  - 222
VL  - 54
IS  - 3
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0003-990X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830150034007
ID  - ref1
ER  -