Project Summary

Robert T. Dunn, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Cambridge Health Alliance/Cambridge Hospital/Harvard University, proposes performing a small clinical study to test whether certain nutritional supplements can increase endogenous levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM or SAMe), a compound that can treat depression if given intravenously or intramuscularly. SAM is believed to have its antidepressant effect by improving the activity of what is called the one-carbon cycle, a metabolic pathway involved in mood disorders. A regimen of supplements, L-methionine, betaine and folate, increase SAM levels better than orally administered SAM and avoids side effects of SAM usage. Dr. Dunn plans on giving 20 unipolar depressed patients for six weeks fixed oral doses of L-methionine, betaine and folate to test the tolerability, effectiveness and side effects of the regimen. This open study, without a placebo group, will recruit subjects from mental health providers and advertisements, and will monitor depressive symptoms using a variety of psychiatric scales.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar Depression

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