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Dexamethasone augmentation in treatment‐resistant depression
Author(s) -
Dinan T. G.,
Lavelle E.,
Cooney J.,
Burnett F.,
Scott L.,
Dash A.,
Thakore J.,
Berti C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1997.tb00374.x
Subject(s) - sertraline , depression (economics) , hamd , dexamethasone , fluoxetine , antidepressant , medicine , psychology , psychiatry , significant difference , serotonin , receptor , hippocampus , economics , macroeconomics
A total of 10 patients who fulfilled DSM‐III‐R criteria for major depression were recruited to the study, each of whom had failed to respond to a 6‐week course of treatment with either sertraline or fluoxetine. Each subject had baseline serum cortisol measurements together with a Hamilton depression (HAMD) score. All patients were started on dexamethasone (3 mg daily) for 4 days, while remaining on their antidepressant treatment. Further Hamilton ratings were made on days 5 and 21. Six patients showed a significant improvement, whilst two showed a minimal response. A good clinical response was associated with a high baseline cortisol level.