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Sugar
pills may improve a depressed patient's mood and even change
their brain chemistry, according to U.S. researchers.
A new
study has shown that in the majority of trials conducted by
drug companies in the past, sugar pills (placebos) have performed
as well, if not better, than antidepressants.
The sugar
pills have even caused profound changes in the same areas
of the brain as seen with antidepressants, with one researcher
concluding that a higher number of patients suffering from
depression get better on placebos today than 20 years ago.
A recent
study compared St. John's Wort against Zoloft. St. John's
Wort cured 24 percent of the depressed patients, Zoloft cured
25 percent and the placebo cured 32 percent.
The "placebo
effect" is commonly see in research where the effectiveness
of drugs is tested against the illusion of effect and the
patient taking a sugar pill reports feeling better. Researchers
are now finding that the placebo may play a different role
in the treatment of depression.
Scientists
at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio
have found increased activity in the brain's cortex accompanied
by decreases in the limbic regions in patients who responded
to either Prozac (fluoxetine) or to a placebo.
However,
patients who responded to Prozac also experienced unique changes
in the brainstem, striatum and hippocampus. Researchers believe
that these additional changes are why the effects of antidepressant
medication appear to be longer-lasting that what is seen with
a placebo.
Researchers
also speculate that part of the benefit of a placebo may actually
be from the care and concern shown to the patient during the
course of the clinical trial, resulting in the patient having
a greater sense of well-being.
Source:
Depression Week
of May 19, 2002
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