Posted by Questionmark on May 13, 2004, at 8:43:34
In reply to does SAM-E has the same strength of stanard AD's?, posted by 1980Monroe on May 10, 2004, at 20:26:54
i'm not positive but i think there are some (how many-- ?.) articles that have shown oral doses of SAMe to be effective in depression-- even major depression. However, the daily dosage is generally around 2,000 mg, if i remember correctly. Seeing as how all the SAMe that i've seen is sold in 200mg or 400mg tablets, that's alot of SAMe, and a HECK of a lot of money. But oral doses can be effective, i'm pretty sure. The problem (other than cost) is getting SAMe that has not deteriorated (or whatever) at all.
The following are three references involving SAMe. The first is interesting in that it shows that the substance is probably effective in preventing 5-HT1A (i assume, presynaptic autoreceptors) up-regulation from 5-HT reuptake-inhibiting antidepressants.
Bellido, I., Gomez-Luque, A., Plaza, A., Rius, F., Ortiz, P., & Sanchez de la Cuesta, F.
S-adenosyl-l-methionine prevents 5-HT<sub>1A</sub> receptors up-regulation induced by acute imipramine in the frontal cortex of the rat.
Neuroscience Letters; Mar 2002, Vol. 321 Issue 1/2, p110, 5p.
Natural Remedy Compares Well To Tricyclic Antidepressant.
RN, Apr2003, Vol. 66 Issue 4, p24, 1/4p.
Abstract: Reports that over-the-counter remedy S-adenosyl-L-methionine was found to be as effective as the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine HCl in major depression.
Transmethylation and affective disorders.
Author(s): Torta, R.; Cicolin, A.; Keller, R.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 1998, Vol. 0, iss. SUPPL. 6, pp. 499-506
Abstract: S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is a naturally occurring metabolite and a major source of methyl groups in the brain. Methylation processes are important in the expression of mood and the failure of methylation may underlie some affective disorders. The administration of SAMe is associated with an increase in both 5-OH-indoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid, being the metabolites of serotonin and dopamine, respectively. SAMe indices mood elevation in depressed patients. Until 1995, 1,400 patients treated with SAMe were investigated in open or controlled trials. The efficacy of SAMe in treating depressive disorders is superior to placebo and comparable to standard tricyclic antidepressants. SAMe demonstrates a particularly low side effect profile. The increase of anxiety is the most common side effect. The addition of SAMe to standard antidepressants may shorten the time of treatment response compared to the use of antidepressants alone, especially in parenteral use (400-800 mg/day, iv.).
poster:Questionmark
thread:345546
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