Double-Blind Evaluation of Triiodothyronine (T3, Cytomel) vs. Placebo as a Supplement to the Treatment of Bipolar Depression with a Mood Stabilizer and Sertraline (Zoloft) or as a Supplement to the Treatment of Unipolar Depression with Sertraline (Zoloft)

Contact name: Richard

Phone: (609)-921-6050

Fax: (609)-921-3620

Email: rabruno@gminstitutes.com

Disorder: Bipolar/Unipolar Depression

Geographic location: Princeton, NJ

Other keywords: bipolar depression depressed zoloft thyroid hormone

Participant compensation: 0.00

Time commitment required: 8 weeks

Drug trial: Yes

Recruitment end date (approximate): open

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
Eligible patients are male or female, between the ages of 18 and 70. Diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode in the context of Bipolar Disorder I or II

Exclusion criteria:
Clinical hyper- or hypothyroidism or other thyroid illness. History of substance or alcohol abuse within the past 12 months. Prior treatment with sertraline during the current depressive episode. History of non-response to sertraline during a prior episode.

Brief description of study:
Many treated depression patients do not fully respond to treatment leaving nearly 40% significantly symptomatic. The purpose of this project will be to treat manic depressive and major depression patients with thyroid hormone in addition to an FDA approved depression medication. Research has shown an association between thyroid function, depression and response to antidepressants. This study will assess the importance of thyroid hormone supplementation in Unipolar and Bipolar patients.

Additional information:
All clinical research visits, laboratory work, investigational medication, transportation and study related procedures are provided at no cost.