Ineffectiveness of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists for treatment-resistant depression: a meta-analysis

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#depressive-disorder-treatment-resistant #humans #nicotinic-antagonists #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #receptors-nicotinic

Ineffectiveness of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists for treatment-resistant depression: a meta-analysis

Wang et al., 2016 | Int Clin Psychopharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wang Hee Ryung, Woo Young Sup, Bahk Won-Myong. Ineffectiveness of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists for treatment-resistant depression: a meta-analysis. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2016-Sep;31(5):241-8. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000128

Abstract

Emerging preclinical and clinical evidences suggest a potential role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the pathophysiology of depression. Several clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists in treatment-resistant depression. We carried out this meta-analysis to investigate whether nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists significantly improve symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder who have an inadequate response to standard antidepressant therapy. A comprehensive literature search identified six randomized-controlled trials. These six trials, which included 2067 participants, were pooled for this meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists failed to show superior efficacy compared with placebo in terms of the mean change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score [mean difference=-0.12 (95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.96 to 0.71]; response rate [risk ratio=0.92 (95% CI=0.83-1.02)]; and remission rate [risk ratio=1.01 (95% CI=0.83-1.23)]. This meta-analysis failed to confirm preliminary positive evidence for the efficacy of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists in treatment-resistant depression. Further studies investigating the efficacy of various alternative treatment strategies for treatment-resistant depression will help clinicians to better understand and choose better treatment options for these populations.

Key Findings

Further studies investigating the efficacy of various alternative treatment strategies for treatment-resistant depression will help clinicians to better understand and choose better treatment options for these populations.

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population major depressive disorder who
Sample Size 2067
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant
  • Humans
  • Nicotinic Antagonists
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Receptors, Nicotinic
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: niacin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09