DOUBLE-BLIND, CONTROLLED TRIAL OF INOSITOL TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION

Objective: CSF levels of inositol have been reported to be lower than normal in depressed subjects. The authors administered inositol to dep ressed patients in a double-blind, controlled trial. Method: Under dou ble-blind conditions, 12 g/day of inositol (N=13) or placebo (N=15) wa s administered to depressed patients for 4 weeks. Results: The overall improvement in scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was sig nificantly greater for inositol than for placebo at week 4. No changes were noted in hematology or in kidney or liver function. Conclusions: This may be the first use of the precursor strategy for a second mess enger rather than a neurotransmitter in treating depression. Although inositol had a significant antidepressant effect in this study, replic ation is crucial.