Treatment-Resistant Depression Augmentation Therapy With An Analog of the Neuroactive Steroid Allopregnanolone: A Pilot Study

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent and can have profoundly negative consequences on one's health, well-being and productivity. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression during their lifetimes. In fact, it is reported that twelve million women in the U.S. each year will experience depression, and that one in eight women will experience a clinical depressive episode during their lifetimes. Additionally, nearly 70% of individuals with MDD do not respond to standard antidepressant therapies despite adequate dosing. Therefore, the identification of an effective and well tolerated antidepressant augmentation therapy would have important clinical and public health implications. Neuroactive steroid hormones are known to directly activate neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, and thus are potential candidates for augmentation therapies to enhance the effect of traditional antidepressants. Specifically, allopregnanolone, a steroid hormone derived from progesterone, is a potent positive modulator of GABA action at GABA-A receptors, which are known to have positive effects on mood symptoms. Data suggest that depression, chronic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder may be associated with low central nervous system allopregnanolone levels. The investigators propose to administer an oral allopregnanolone analog to 10 postmenopausal women with treatment-resistant depression as an add-on therapy to their current treatment for a period of 8 weeks followed by a 2-week taper. The investigators hypothesize that administration of the oral allopregnanolone analog in women with treatment-resistant depression will improve depressive symptoms.