Affective illness and S-adenosyl methionine: a preliminary report

Clin Neuropharmacol. 1986;9(4):379-85. doi: 10.1097/00002826-198608000-00005.

Abstract

S-Adenosyl methionine may well have an antidepressant action beyond a placebo effect but this is virtually confined to endogenous depression. This should be subjected to further study. Our own double-blind placebo-controlled study is still incomplete. The indications are that SAM specifically affects folate, dopamine, and serotonin metabolism as well as activating and switching brain mechanisms. This suggests exciting prospects for further investigations. SAM is a nontoxic physiological metabolite virtually free of side effects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Depressive Disorder / blood
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / blood
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / adverse effects
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / cerebrospinal fluid
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • Folic Acid