Open pergolide treatment of tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepressant-resistant depression

Background: Recently, a dopamine hypothesis of depression was put forward, and several studies have demonstrated that direct and indirect dopamine ago nists have antidepressant effects. Methods: Using Clinical Global Impressio ns, we evaluated the efficacy of 4-week treatment of pergolide as an antide pressant adjuvant involving 20 unipolar depressed patients who were refract ory to standard treatment with antidepressants. Results: One patients (5%) were very much improved, seven (35%) much improved, four (20%) minimally im proved, six (30%) no change or worse, and two (10%) not assessed. There was no significant difference in any clinical factors between the pergolide re sponder and non-responder group. Limitations: This study was a non-blind op en trial, and pergolide was added to tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepress ants. Conclusion: Pergolide may be useful as an antidepressant adjuvant. su ggesting a potential role for dopamine-2 stimulation in the antidepressant response. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.