S-Adenosylmethionine (Ademetionine) in Psychiatric Disorders: Historical Perspective and Current Status

Abstract

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe; ademetionine) is a naturally occurring compound that is found in virtually all living organisms. It serves as a major source of methyl groups in the brain, donating these groups to molecules such as hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleic acids, proteins and phospholipids, and is of fundamental importance in a number of intracellular metabolic pathways. The most commonly reported effect of SAMe is mood elevation in depressed patients. A few, relatively small clinical studies have shown that parenteral SAMe is superior to placebo and at least as effective as standard antidepressants, perhaps with a relatively rapid onset of action. Furthermore, the addition of SAMe to standard antidepressants may shorten the time to treatment response compared with the use of antidepressants alone. There are also additional reports suggesting the usefulness of the compound in dementia. SAMe appears to be remarkably well tolerated and free of severe adverse effects. Further studies are needed to clearly establish the role that SAMe may play in the treatment of depressive disorders and dementia.