A review of current evidence for acetyl-l-carnitine in the treatment of depression

Vortioxetine: a meta-analysis of 12 short-term, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials for the treatment of major depressive disorder

“…4 As a result, increasing remission and response rates have been associated with greater reliance on polypharmacy strategies that involve combining antidepressants and augmenting them with other agents. [5][6][7][8][9] However, this approach has increased concerns about adverse events (AEs) and health care costs. 10 Therefore, new pharmacological agents with novel mechanisms of action are needed for patients who do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatments.…”

“…10 Therefore, new pharmacological agents with novel mechanisms of action are needed for patients who do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatments. 6,[11][12][13][14] The development of vortioxetine, an antidepressant with a novel mechanism of action, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2013 for the treatment of MDD, is timely. 15 Vortioxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that binds to the presynaptic serotonin reuptake site, increasing the level of serotonin (5-HT) in the neuronal synapse and selectively binding to a variety of other serotonin receptors.…”

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2016 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Section 5. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments

“…93 In contrast, a narrative review found that acetyl-L-carnitine was superior to placebo, and as effective as fluoxetine and amisulpride, as a monotherapy for mild to moderate depression. 94 It is generally well tolerated without significant side effects. 10,94 The usual dose of C. sativus (saffron) is 20 to 30 mg/day over 6 to 8 weeks.…”

“…94 It is generally well tolerated without significant side effects. 10,94 The usual dose of C. sativus (saffron) is 20 to 30 mg/day over 6 to 8 weeks. 95,96 One new meta-analysis (5 trials, N ¼ 177) 97 and 3 systematic reviews 96,98,99 further support its use as a monotherapy with comparable efficacy to antidepressants in mild to moderate MDD.…”

Criticisms of drugs in early development for the treatment of depression: what can be improved?

“…These agents might also improve membrane molecular and lipid metabolism by increasing myo-inositol levels and/or alter neurotransmitter regulation, especially in serotonergic and possibly in dopaminergic activities [54]. Another emerging area of interest is blockade of proinflammatory cytokines.…”