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Published on: January 7, 2019
[Augmentation strategies for therapy resistant depression - a review]
1Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg. m.schmauss@bkh-augsburg.de
Psychiatrische Praxis
|December 13, 2006
Summary
Augmentation therapies can improve treatment outcomes for refractory depression. This review details the benefits and risks of various strategies, including lithium, T3, and atypical antipsychotics, to guide clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Refractory depression poses a significant clinical challenge.
- Pharmacological augmentation strategies are crucial for treatment-resistant depression.
- A comprehensive review of existing augmentation therapies is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the benefits and risks of all known augmentation therapies for refractory depression.
- To provide an evidence-based overview of pharmacological augmentation options.
- To inform clinical decision-making in treating therapy-resistant depression.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of MEDLINE (1990-2004).
- Inclusion of relevant review articles.
- Analysis of documented efficacy and safety data.
Main Results:
- Lithium augmentation is well-supported by controlled studies for refractory depression.
- T3 augmentation is a second-line strategy.
- Atypical antipsychotics show efficacy in placebo-controlled studies.
- Buspirone, modafinil, and dopaminergic agents require further rigorous investigation.
- Other agents (stimulants, reserpine, etc.) are primarily research strategies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding augmentation strategies can enhance response and remission rates in therapy-resistant depression.
- Evidence supports lithium and atypical antipsychotics as key augmentation options.
- Further research is needed for other emerging augmentation therapies.
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