S-adenosyl-L-methionine normalizes P300 latency in patients with major depression : a preliminary report

Abstract Ten patients with major depression diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , third edition, revised, criteria and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in a study to investigate the effects of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) on two late components of brain event-related potentials, P300 and N100. Psychomotor retardation in depressed patients is marked by increased P300 latency. SAMe 400 mg administered intravenously, daily for 5 days in patients with major depression as compared with healthy volunteers restored P300 latency to normal. N100 levels, which were similar in both groups before SAMe administration, were apparently unaffected by treatment.