Use of Insulin Sensitizers as a Novel Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Pilot Study of Pioglitazone for Major Depression Accompanied by Abdominal Obesity
Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione insulin sensitizer, in the treatment of major depressive disorder.Method: A 12-week, open-label, prospective trial was conducted in 23 subjects experiencing a major depressive episode.Subjects in this study were either insulin resistant as reflected by abdominal obesity or met criteria for metabolic syndrome.Open-label pioglitazone was administered as monotherapy or adjunctively and initiated at 15mg daily.Primary endpoint was change from baseline to Week 12 in the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) total score.Results: Pioglitazone decreased depression symptom severity from a total IDS score of 40.3 + 7.1 to 17.9 + 9.2 at week 12 (p<.001)and this improvement was accompanied by a reduction in insulin resistance (p=.001).The most common side effects were headache and dizziness and no patient discontinued due to side effects.Conclusion: Pioglitazone appears to reduce depression severity and improve several markers of cardiometabolic risk, including insulin resistance.
Author: Kemp, David E.
Institution: Case Western Reserve University
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6997222346