There is no proven effective treatment for adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD). The reported studies of treatment with tricyclic antidepressant medications have failed to find differences between the medication and placebo. The present study is proposed under the Public Academic Liaison (PAL) Program. The protocol involves a 3 week, single blind, placebo washout, followed by a 10 week, double blind, placebo controlled study of amitriptyline (AMI) in inpatient, non-psychotic, non-bipolar MDD. AMI plasma levels will be measured to study the relationship between medication level and clinical response. This study will help answer the question, which remains an open one, of whether tricyclic antidepressants have a legitimate role in the treatment of depression in adolescent inpatients with major depressive disorder. If this question is answered in the negative, studies of other types of agents will then be embarked upon. Attending were a member of the committee (Dr. Geller), two ad hoc visitors (Drs. Gabrielle Carlson and Barry Garfinkel) knowledgeable in areas relating to the application, and the Executive Secretary of the committee. The findings of the site visit team were considered by the committee at its review meeting, and have been incorporated in this summary statement.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29MH046894-04
Application #
2247302
Study Section
Treatment Development and Assessment Research Review Committee (TDA)
Project Start
1991-04-01
Project End
1996-03-31
Budget Start
1994-04-01
Budget End
1995-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Birmaher, B (1998) Should we use antidepressant medications for children and adolescents with depressive disorders? Psychopharmacol Bull 34:35-9
Birmaher, B; Waterman, G S; Ryan, N D et al. (1998) Randomized, controlled trial of amitriptyline versus placebo for adolescents with ""treatment-resistant"" major depression. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 37:527-35
Birmaher, B; Ryan, N D; Williamson, D E et al. (1996) Childhood and adolescent depression: a review of the past 10 years. Part I. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 35:1427-39
Birmaher, B; Ryan, N D; Williamson, D E et al. (1996) Childhood and adolescent depression: a review of the past 10 years. Part II. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 35:1575-83