In a groundbreaking development, four new mothers who had been grappling with postpartum depression for several months experienced remarkable improvement after receiving an experimental epilepsy drug. The medication, SAGE-547, initially developed by Sage Therapeutics to manage epileptic seizures, was administered to the women during their hospital stay.
Before treatment, these mothers completed the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, revealing an average score of 26.5—indicating severe depression. However, astonishingly, just under 60 hours after treatment with SAGE-547, their average score plummeted to a mere 1.8. This dramatic shift in mood is encouraging, as noted by lead investigator Dr. Emily Turner, who oversees the perinatal psychiatry program at the University of North Carolina. She stated, “This is a very promising sign, showcasing a robust response to the treatment.”
Sage Therapeutics’ CEO, Mark Roberts, also expressed enthusiasm regarding the findings, highlighting the potential for further research in this area. Despite the encouraging results, it’s important to note that this study involved a very small sample size, and the use of an injection for postpartum depression is a novel approach. The possibility of the placebo effect cannot be overlooked. Dr. Lisa Grant, a professor at a Chicago medical college, emphasized that the results are highly preliminary and should be interpreted cautiously.
Nonetheless, this drug could hold significant promise for addressing postpartum depression, which impacts 10 to 20 percent of new mothers. Roberts acknowledges the limitations of the study and is looking to conduct a larger, placebo-controlled trial to further investigate the effects of SAGE-547. If successful, Sage Therapeutics plans to develop an oral medication specifically targeting postpartum depression.
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In summary, while the results from this small study are promising, they are still preliminary. Further research with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm the efficacy of SAGE-547 as a treatment for postpartum depression. This could potentially pave the way for new treatment options for many mothers who are struggling.
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