Hormonal Potentiation of Imipramine and ECT in Primary Depression

A double-blind, controlled study with frequent rating of symptoms, using a homogeneous population of 49 patients with primary depression, was conducted to measure the possible enhancement of imipramine's antidepressant activity by T₃ and dexamethasone and the possible enhancement of the antidepressant activity of ECT by dexamethasone. The results of this study, which are clearly negative, raise serious questions as to the efficacy of these hormones in enhancing the antidepressant activity of imipramine and ECT.