S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus escitalopram and placebo in major depression RCT: Efficacy and effects of histamine and carnitine as moderators of response

Abstract

Objective To assess the antidepressant efficacy of S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe), a naturally occurring methyl donor, versus the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram and a placebo control; and to determine whether serum histamine or carnitine levels modified treatment response. Methods We examined a subsample (n=144) from one site of a two-site study of adults with diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), recruited from 4/13/05 to 12/22/09, who consented to the additional blood draw for serum histamine and carnitine levels. After washout, eligible subjects were randomized to SAMe (1600-3200 mg/daily), escitalopram (10-20 mg/daily), or matching placebo for 12 weeks of d..