Antidepressants Are Promising for Depressed Patients with Comorbid Neurological Disorders

Despite the high prevalence of depression among patients with neurological diseases, there are few randomized controlled studies of antidepressant therapy in such patients. These authors performed a comprehensive analysis of placebo-controlled studies of antidepressants for treating depression (including major depression, dysthymia, and adjustment disorder) in patients with neurological disorders.

Included studies had to have used validated rating scales to assess response. The investigators assessed 68 studies for eligibility and included only 18 in the meta-analysis (stroke, 9; Parkinson disease, 6; multiple sclerosis, 2; traumatic brain injury, 1). The primary endpoint was response at 6 to 8 weeks; response at three other time points, qua…