Double-blind Pilot Trial of Mirtazapine for the Treatment of Co-occurring AD/MDD.

Alcohol dependence (AD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are among the most frequent psychiatric disorders in the general population, and the co-occurrence of those disorders represents a significant public health problem. Levels of alcohol use have been shown to be associated with levels of depressive symptoms among comorbid populations. Previous medication trials with SSRI antidepressants in this comorbid population have produced disappointing results. Mirtazapine is a non-SSRI medication with a unique structure and mechanism of action. Recent study results suggest that mirtazapine may be more effective and faster acting than other antidepressants. Our own recent open label pilot study suggested robust within-group efficacy for mirtazapine for decreasing both the drinking and the depressive symptoms of AD/MDD subjects. However, no placebo control group was employed in that study, so between-group efficacy versus placebo could not be assessed. The current grant submission proposes to conduct a first double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study to provide a preliminary assessment of the efficacy of mirtazapine versus placebo for decreasing the alcohol use and depressive symptoms of persons with comorbid AD/MDD. If the results of this proposed double-blind pilot study are promising, then the effect sizes found in this proposed study will be used to help design an adequately-powered R01 treatment trial to definitively test the efficacy of mirtazapine versus placebo in this comorbid population.

Inclusion criteria

• DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of current alcohol dependence, confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
• DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of current major depressive disorder, confirmed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)

Exclusion criteria

• Any person who meets criteria for alcohol-induced depression
• Any psychotic disorder bipolar disorder, mental retardation, impaired cognitive functioning, or use of any psychotropic medication in the previous month
• Current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) criteria for dependence on substances other than alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, or caffeine
• Significant neurological conditions or medical conditions
• Persistent elevation of liver function enzymes indicating active liver disease (elevated t. bilirubin or elevation to three-time normal range of liver enzymes, SGOT, SGPT, or g-GTP)
• The presence of renal function impairment defined as serum creatinine >2x upper limit of normal
• Pregnancy, inability or unwillingness to use contraceptive methods
• Use of any antidepressant medication in the prior two months, or any lifetime use of mirtazapine
• Inability to read or understand study forms and agree to informed consent