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Ropinirole Augmentation for Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study.
Ari A Gershon, Revital Amiaz, Haim Shem-David
1Jerusalem Mental Health Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
|November 30, 2018
Summary
Add-on ropinirole did not improve depression symptoms in patients unresponsive to standard antidepressants. This study found no significant difference compared to placebo, suggesting ropinirole may not be an effective antidepressant.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dopaminergic pathways are implicated in depression treatment.
- Ropinirole, a dopamine D2/D3 agonist, is used for Parkinson's disease.
- Preliminary data suggested potential antidepressant effects of dopamine agonists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of add-on ropinirole in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
- To determine if ropinirole improves depressive symptoms when added to existing antidepressant medication.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted.
- 32 patients with persistent depression despite adequate antidepressant treatment were enrolled.
- Patients received either 2 mg oral ropinirole or placebo twice daily for 7 weeks.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in primary or secondary outcome measures between the ropinirole and placebo groups.
- Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores did not improve more with ropinirole.
Conclusions:
- Add-on ropinirole was not effective in treating patients with major depression unresponsive to standard antidepressants.
- The findings contrast with previous studies and theoretical expectations.
- Differences in pharmacological activity compared to other dopaminergic agents like pramipexole may explain these results.
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