The present study has been designed to compare the efficacy and safety of augmentation of SSRIs with Amantadine vs Pramipexole vs the recommended Quetiapine augmentation in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and correlate the changes in depression scores with changes in the serum levels of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Nerve growth factor (NGF). The proposed study will be a prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial in patients with TRD and will be conducted over a period of 2 years. The study cohort will comprise 150 patients with unipolar depression clinically diagnosed as TRD, who are currently on Sertraline treatment (dose range = 100-200 mg/day). At baseline, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D 21 item) will be administered to determine the severity of depressive symptoms, Clinical Global Inventory (CGI) will be administered to determine the baseline severity of the illness. Serum BDNF, and NGF will be estimated by ELISA using commercially available Human ELISA kit. The sample will be divided into 3 equal treatment groups by block randomization technique, each group comprising of 50 patients. Group 1 will receive Amantadine 200 mg/day (in two divided doses) augmentation to the ongoing Sertraline treatment. Group 2 will receive Pramipexole 0.375 mg/day (in three divided doses) augmentation to the ongoing Sertraline treatment. Group 3 will serve as the control arm and receive the recommended Quetiapine XR 100 mg/day augmentation to the ongoing Sertraline treatment. The study cohort will be reassessed for the changes in HAM-D scores, CGI severity scores, Improvement score and Efficacy index, at 4 and 8 weeks follow up. The changes in Serum BDNF, and NGF will be estimated at the end of 8 weeks, to correlate with the change in severity of depressive symptoms. All the participants will be evaluated for any untoward side effects in a prescribed format for the Pharmacovigilance program of India (PVPI). The patient in either of the treatment arms, who are not responding to treatment or relapsing with aggravation of depressive symptoms will be switched on to Venlafaxine treatment or Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) as decided by the treating team.
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Hamilton Depression Scale scores
Timeframe: 8 weeks