[Augmentation with carnicetine for late depression].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Gerontology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Depression in elderly patients presents unique challenges in treatment efficacy and recovery.
• Antidepressant monotherapy may not always provide optimal outcomes for geriatric depression.
• Augmentation strategies are crucial for improving therapeutic response in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and safety of antidepressant monotherapy versus complex antidepressant therapy with carnicetine in elderly psychiatric patients.
• To evaluate the impact of carnicetine augmentation on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and cognitive function.
• To determine if carnicetine enhances the speed and completeness of therapeutic response in geriatric depression.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving two groups of hospitalized patients aged 60-79 with mild to moderate depression (ICD-10).
• An 8-week treatment period with either monotherapy or complex therapy including carnicetine.
• Assessment of treatment efficacy using HAM-D, HARS, CGI-S/I scales and cognitive function via MMSE, 10-word memory test, and clock drawing test.

Main Results:

• Complex antidepressant therapy with carnicetine demonstrated a more rapid and pronounced therapeutic response compared to monotherapy.
• Significant reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms (p<0.01) was observed by week 4 in the carnicetine group.
• Improved cognitive functioning and a higher number of responders were noted with carnicetine augmentation.

Conclusions:

• Carnicetine augmentation of antidepressant therapy is recommended for elderly psychiatric patients.
• This approach leads to a faster and more complete therapeutic response, potentially reducing hospitalization duration.
• The findings support carnicetine as an effective adjunct for enhancing geriatric depression treatment.