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Clinical Trial
. 2007 Nov;9(7):754-8.
doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2007.00532.x.

Creatine monohydrate in resistant depression: a preliminary study

Suzana Roitman  1 , Tamar Green, Yamima Osher, Nathan Karni, Joseph Levine
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Creatine monohydrate in resistant depression: a preliminary study

Suzana Roitman et al. Bipolar Disord. 2007 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Creatine plays a pivotal role in brain energy homeostasis, and altered cerebral energy metabolism may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Oral creatine supplementation may modify brain high-energy phosphate metabolism in depressed subjects.

Methods: Eight unipolar and two bipolar patients with treatment-resistant depression were treated for four weeks with 3-5 g/day of creatine monohydrate in an open add-on design. Outcome measures were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Clinical Global Impression scores, recorded at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Results: One patient improved considerably after one week and withdrew. Both bipolar patients developed hypomania/mania. For the remaining seven patients, all scale scores significantly improved. Adverse reactions were mild and transitory.

Conclusions: This small, preliminary, open study of creatine monohydrate suggests a beneficial effect of creatine augmentation in unipolar depression, but possible precipitation of a manic switch in bipolar depression.

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