Paper Summary:

This paper discusses depression in adults and the use of St. John's Wort as a treatment. The paper begins by describing the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms of depression in adults. It then discusses the use of St. John's Wort - the mechanism of action and how its use affects the health problem at the cellular and organ system level. The paper concludes by discussing side effects of using St. John's Wort, its cost and toxicity.

Table of Contents:
Description Of The Pathophysiology Of Depression In Adults
Signs And Symptoms Of Depression
Prognosis For Individual: Disability/Death
What Specific Cellular And Organ System Changes Occur?
Most Common Theories About The Health Problem
Complications Of Depression
Using St. John's Wort For Depression: Mechanism Of Action
How The Drugs Mode Of Action Resolves Of Affects The Health Problem At The Cellular And Organ System Level?
Side Effects That Can Occur
Pregnancy Classification
Toxicity
Cost Of A One Months Supply
Most Common Dosage In Generic And Name Brand If Available

From the Paper:

"Research, at present, is inconclusive. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a 3-year study of 336 patients with major depression of moderate severity. The study randomly assigned patients to an 8-week trial. One-third of patients received a uniform dose of St. John's Wort, another third a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for depression, and the final group received a placebo. The study participants who responded positively were followed for an additional 18 weeks. At the end of the first phase of the study, participants were measured on two scales, one for depression and one for overall functioning. There was no significant difference in rate of response for depression, but the scale for overall functioning was better for the antidepressant than for either St. John's Wort or placebo. ("Depression," 2000, National Institute of Health)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Depression." (2006) Healthy Place. Retrieved 23 Oct 2006 at <http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/depression/causes.asp>
• "Depression." (2000) National Institute of Health. Retrieved 23 Oct 2006 at <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm>
• "Hypericum Depression Trial Study Group."(2002). Journal of the American Medical Association. 287(14): 1807-1814. Retrieved 23 Oct 2006 at <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11939866&query_hl=2>
• Kasper, S., I.G. Anghelescu, A. Szegedi, A. Dienel & M. Kieser. "Superior efficacy of St John's Wort extract WS 5570 compared to placebo in patients with major depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial." (2006) BMC Med 2006 Jun 23:4:14. Retrieved 23 Oct 2006 at <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=16796730>
• "St. John's Wort." (2006). NCAM: National Council of Alternative Medicine. Retrieved 23 Oct 2006 at <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/>

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