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Cited by 65Treatment of Major DepressionLipoproteins and Cardiovascular HealthTryptophan and brain disorders

In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, adjuvant atorvastatin improved symptoms of depression and blood lipid values in patients suffering from severe major depressive disorder

Haghighi, Mohammad, Khodakarami, Saeed, Jahangard, Leila, Ahmadpanah, Mohammad, Bajoghli, Hafez, Holsboer-Trachsler, Edith, Brand, Serge·2014·Journal of Psychiatric Research
DOI 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.07.018
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Abstract

Background The administration of statins seems to be a promising new avenue in the treatment of patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD), though patients suffering from severe MDD remain unstudied in this respect. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate, in a randomized double-blind clinical trial, the influence of adjuvant atorvastatin on symptoms of depression in patients with MDD.Methods A total of 60 patients suffering from MDD (mean age: 32.25 years; 53% males) received a standard medication of 40 mg/d citalopram. Next, patients were randomly assigned either to the atorvastatin group (20 mg/d) or to the placebo group. Blood lipid values were assessed at baseline and on completion of the study 12 weeks later. Experts rated depressive symptoms via Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HDRS) at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 weeks later.Results HDRS scores decreased over time; the significant Time by Group interaction showed that symptoms of depression decreased more in the atorvastatin than in the placebo group. Compared to the placebo group, in the atorvastatin group cholesterol, triglyceride, and Low Density Lipids (LDL) significantly decreased, and High Density Lipids (HDL) significantly increased over time. HDRS scores and blood lipid values were generally not associated.Conclusions The pattern of results suggests that adjuvant atorvastatin favorably influences symptoms of depression among patients with severe MDD. Given that after 12 weeks of monotherapy and adjuvant atorvastatin patients were still moderately to severely depressed, more powerful treatment algorithms such as augmentation and change of medication are highly recommended.

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  • In a 12-week RCT of participants with severe major depressive disorder under standard citalopram treatment (n = 60), the adjunctive atorvastatin group showed lower HDRS scores by the end of the trial, but no participant achieved remission.

    “The group allocated to atorvastatin showed lower HDRS scores by the end of the trial; however, no participant achieved remission.”

    From Cognitive remission: a novel objective for the treatment of major depression? (2016) · cites this paper as [173]

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Authors
Haghighi, M., Khodakarami, S., Jahangard, L., Ahmadpanah, M., Bajoghli, H., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., & Brand, S.
Affiliations
  • Hamedan University of Medical Sciences (IR)
  • Mahidol University (TH)
  • University of Basel (CH)
Corresponding author
Brand, Serge
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Psychiatric Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-11
Volume
58
Pages
109-114
ISSN
0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.07.018
OpenAlex
W2080967766
Semantic Scholar
344d9d4863d2a3dc2c68580f31f67bf457a5600d
Cited by
65
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5
FWCI
4.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • edoc (University of Basel) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords
atorvastatin, major depressive disorder, severe depression, statins, adjuvant therapy, depressive symptoms, serum lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, citalopram, antidepressant augmentation
MeSH terms
Atorvastatin, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Anticholesteremic Agents, Major Depressive Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Heptanoic Acids, Humans, Lipids, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Pyrroles, Chi-Square Distribution, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

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