ArticlePDF Available

Cost-Optimized and Efficacy-Driven Analysis of Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder: A Machine Learning and Visualization Approach

Authors:
  • Institute of Psychopatology - Roma
Open Access Library Journal
2025, Volume 12, e12896
ISSN Online: 2333-9721
ISSN Print: 2333-9705
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 Feb. 17, 2025 1
Open Access Library Journal
Cost-Optimized and Efficacy-Driven Analysis of
Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder:
A Machine Learning and Visualization
Approach
Rocco de Filippis1*, Abdullah Al Foysal2
1Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychopathology, Rome, Italy
2Department of Computer Engineering (AI), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
Abstract
The treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) often involves antidepres-
sants, yet non-
response to initial therapies remains a significant clinical and
economic burden. This research aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy and
cost-efficiency of 13 commonly prescribed antidepressants, spanning four ma-
jor drug classes: SSRIs, SNRIs, NaSSAs, and TCAs. By employing machine
learning and simulated patient data, we model non-
response rates over two
years, highlighting each drug’s cumulative risk trajectories. This study also in-
vestigates the direct correlation between non-
response rates and estimated
healthcare costs, offering insights into the economic implications of antide-
pressant inefficacy. The analysis reveals distinct patterns of non-
response
across classes, with SSRIs exhibiting the lowest cumulative risk and cost varia-
bility. Conversely, NaSSA and TCA classes demonstrate higher non-
response
rates, contributing to greater financial strain. Visual representations, including
line plots with confidence int
ervals, bar plots, scatter diagrams, and box plots,
provide an intuitive breakdown of risk distribution and economic impact. The
primary goal of this research is to guide clinicians and policymakers in select-
ing cost-effective and efficacious antidepressan
ts, ultimately improving patient
outcomes while minimizing unnecessary healthcare expenditure. This study
addresses the dual challenges of clinical efficacy and economic sustainability in
MDD treatment by integrating statistical modelling with visual analytics. Fu-
ture work will focus on incorporating real-
world demographic and clinical data
to enhance the precision and applicability of the findings.
Subject Areas
Mental Health, Pharmacology, Healthcare Economics
How to cite this paper:
de Filippis, R. and
Al Foysal
, A. (2025) Cost-
Optimized and
Efficacy
-
Driven Analysis of Antidepressants
in Major Depressive Disorder: A Machine
Learning and Visualization Approach
.
Open
Access Library Journal
,
12
: e12896.
https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112896
Received:
January 1, 2025
Accepted:
February 14, 2025
Published:
February 17, 2025
Copyright © 20
25 by author(s) and Open
Access Library Inc
.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution
International
License (CC BY
4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 2
Open Access Library Journal
Keywords
Antidepressants, Machine Learning, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Cost
Efficiency, Non-Response Rates
1. Introduction
Despite the availability of numerous pharmacological treatments, nearly 30% -
50% of patients fail to respond to initial antidepressant therapy [1]-[3]. This sub-
stantial rate of non-response often necessitates multiple treatment adjustments,
leading to prolonged patient suffering, increased hospitalization rates, and esca-
lating healthcare costs. Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake in-
hibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), nora-
drenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs), and tricyclic anti-
depressants (TCAs), remain central to the pharmacological management of Major
Depressive Disorder (MDD) [4]-[7]. However, significant variability in patient
response across these drug classes underscores the pressing need for tailored and
cost-efficient treatment strategies. Among these classes, SSRIs are widely regarded
as the first-line treatment due to their favorable side effect profile, improved tol-
erability, and lower costs compared to other options [8] [9]. They have consist-
ently demonstrated lower rates of adverse events, such as sedation and cardiovas-
cular complications, making them suitable for a broad range of patients. Con-
versely, TCAs and NaSSAs, while effective in certain cases, are often associated
with higher risks of side effects and economic burden, resulting in their use being
reserved for treatment-resistant or complex cases where first-line options prove
inadequate [10]-[12]. This study aims to address the critical gap in understanding
how non-response rates to antidepressants correlate with their economic impact
on healthcare systems. By employing machine learning models and simulated pa-
tient data, the research offers a novel perspective on visualizing non-response tra-
jectories, cumulative risk, and the financial burden across various antidepressant
classes. Through detailed visual representations and cost projections, this study
seeks to empower clinicians and policymakers with data-driven insights to make
informed prescribing decisions. Ultimately, this research aspires to optimize an-
tidepressant selection, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the economic
strain on healthcare systems.
2. Methods
This study employs a multifaceted approach, integrating machine learning simu-
lations, synthetic data generation, and real-world data to comprehensively model
the efficacy and economic impact of 13 antidepressants. The methodology is struc-
tured into three primary phases: data acquisition and preparation, non-response
rate modelling, and cost estimation.
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 3
Open Access Library Journal
2.1. Data Acquisition and Preparation
Data acquisition forms the foundation of this study, combining population-based
treatment records with synthetic data to ensure broader applicability and real-
world relevance. Treatment records from clinical studies and trials provided base-
line non-response rates, ranging from 48% to 82% over a two-year period [13]
[14]. To address data gaps and enhance the robustness of the analysis, synthetic
patient data was generated, reflecting variability in age, sex, comorbidities, and
prior treatment responses. The dataset encompasses 13 antidepressants classified
into four primary drug classes, as shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Classification of antidepressants by drug class.
Drug Class
Antidepressants
SSRIs Sertraline, Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Escitalopram
SNRIs Venlafaxine, Duloxetine
NaSSA Mirtazapine, Mianserin
TCAs Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Clomipramine, Dosulepin
2.2. Machine Learning Simulation
A custom machine-learning pipeline was developed to model non-response rates
over 104 weeks. The goal was to predict patient outcomes based on historical data
and relevant clinical factors. The pipeline follows a structured process:
Model Selection: Three machine learning algorithmsRandom Forest, XGBoost,
and Logistic Regressionwere employed to analyse patterns in non-response
trajectories. Each model’s performance was evaluated to ensure accurate pre-
dictions.
Training and Validation: The dataset was split into training (70%) and vali-
dation (30%) subsets, ensuring the models could generalize to new data. Cross-
validation was applied to reduce overfitting and improve robustness.
Confidence Intervals (CI): Bootstrapping techniques were applied to derive
95% confidence intervals for the predicted non-response rates, capturing po-
tential variability and uncertainty in patient outcomes.
Feature Engineering: Critical predictors such as baseline depression severity,
medication adherence, socio-economic status, and prior treatment history were
included in the models. Feature importance rankings were generated to iden-
tify key factors influencing non-response.
2.3. Model Selection and Justification
This study utilized three machine learning algorithmsRandom Forest, XGBoost,
and Logistic Regressionto model non-response rates among patients treated
with antidepressants. These models were selected based on their complementary
strengths:
Random Forest: Effective in handling high-dimensional data and capturing
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 4
Open Access Library Journal
non-linear interactions between clinical variables.
XGBoost: Known for its gradient-boosting framework, offering superior ac-
curacy in complex datasets while mitigating overfitting through regularization.
Logistic Regression: A baseline model ideal for binary classification tasks, al-
lowing for straightforward interpretation of predictor contributions.
The diversity of these algorithms ensures robust predictions while addressing
the varied complexities of clinical data.
2.4. Hyperparameter Tuning and Validation
To optimize model performance, hyperparameters were fine-tuned using grid
search with cross-validation. For Random Forest, parameters such as the number
of trees and maximum tree depth were calibrated. XGBoost’s learning rate, tree
depth, and number of boosting rounds were adjusted to maximize predictive ac-
curacy. Logistic Regression utilized regularization techniques (L1 and L2 penal-
ties) to prevent overfitting. Models were trained on 70% of the dataset and vali-
dated on the remaining 30%, ensuring generalizability.
Feature Engineering
Key clinical predictors were engineered to improve model inputs:
Baseline depression severity: Quantified through established scales such as
the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
Medication adherence: Represented as a binary variable, indicating whether
patients followed prescribed regimens.
Socio-economic status: Derived from simulated demographic data, reflecting
income and employment stability.
Prior treatment history: Categorized based on the number of failed treatment
attempts and class of previous antidepressants.
The importance of these features was ranked using feature importance metrics
in Random Forest and Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) for XGBoost, offer-
ing transparency in model predictions.
2.5. Cost Estimation
The financial burden of non-response was quantified by correlating non-response
rates with economic factors, encompassing both direct and indirect healthcare
costs [15]-[18]. The cost model was divided into three components:
Direct Costs: This category includes expenditures on medication, psychiatric
consultations, emergency visits, and hospitalizations [19]-[21].
Indirect Costs: Productivity loss, absenteeism, and caregiver burdens were
factored into the model to estimate broader economic impacts [22]-[24].
Monte Carlo Simulation: To account for cost variability across different pa-
tient demographics, Monte Carlo simulations were performed. This approach
modelled a range of potential outcomes, providing probabilistic estimates for
different scenarios [25]-[27].
By integrating machine learning predictions with cost estimations, this study
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 5
Open Access Library Journal
provides a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term implications of antidepres-
sant non-response, informing both clinical decisions and healthcare policy [28]
[29].
3. Results and Visual Analysis
Understanding the progression of non-response risk and its economic burden is
critical for optimizing antidepressant prescriptions [30] [31]. This section pre-
sents visual analyses of the longitudinal trends and class-specific variations in
non-response rates, followed by an economic assessment of cost burdens.
This plot in Figure 1 tracks the evolving risk of non-response for 13 antidepres-
sants over 104 weeks. Confidence intervals (shaded areas) widen with time, re-
flecting increasing uncertainty and treatment variability. SSRIs like Sertraline ex-
hibit lower cumulative risk compared to TCAs like Dosulepin and NaSSA-class
drugs such as Mianserin [32].
Figure 1. Risk of non-response over time (with 95% CI).
Bar plots here in Figure 2 show the non-response rates for each antidepressant,
grouped by class. Mianserin (NaSSA) exhibits the highest non-response rate (82%),
while SSRIs demonstrate comparatively lower rates. This visualization under-
scores class differences and highlights potential targets for intervention.
Box plots in Figure 3 depict non-response rate variability within each antide-
pressant class. SSRIs show lower dispersion, indicating more consistent perfor-
mance, while NaSSA and TCA classes display greater variability, suggesting higher
risk and unpredictability.
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 6
Open Access Library Journal
Figure 2. Non-response rates by antidepressant and class.
Figure 3. Distribution of non-response rates by class.
This cumulative risk graph here in Figure 4 highlights the increasing burden of
non-response as treatment progresses. By week 104, the cumulative risk approaches
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 7
Open Access Library Journal
100% for some antidepressants, particularly in the NaSSA and TCA classes. SSRIs
remain below 60% cumulative risk.
Figure 4. Cumulative risk of non-response over time.
Figure 5. The estimated cost of non-response by antidepressant and class.
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 8
Open Access Library Journal
Figure 6. Cost vs non-response rate by antidepressant.
Figure 7. Distribution of cost by antidepressant class.
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 9
Open Access Library Journal
This bar plot in Figure 5 visualizes the estimated cost of non-response per an-
tidepressant. SSRIs generally show lower costs, while TCAs and NaSSA antide-
pressants incur higher costs due to increased non-response rates. The financial
burden of Mianserin (NaSSA) and Amitriptyline (TCA) is notably high.
A scatter plot in Figure 6 shows the relationship between non-response rates
and the estimated cost of treatment. TCAs and NaSSA drugs cluster at higher non-
response rates and costs, suggesting an economic impact aligned with lower treat-
ment efficacy.
Box plots here in Figure 7 depict the distribution of estimated costs across dif-
ferent antidepressant classes. SSRIs show narrower cost variability, while NaSSA
and TCA classes demonstrate broader distributions, indicating higher financial
risks and variability in treatment outcomes.
4. Discussion
The findings of this study reinforce the superiority of SSRIs as the primary phar-
macological intervention for managing MDD, given their consistently lower non-
response rates and reduced cumulative risk over time [33] [34]. SSRIs stand out
not only for their clinical efficacy but also for their economic advantages, mini-
mizing the financial strain on healthcare systems by reducing the need for fre-
quent treatment adjustments, hospitalizations, and additional psychiatric inter-
ventions [35] [36]. This makes them a cost-effective solution for patients initiating
antidepressant therapy. However, the study highlights significant outliers, partic-
ularly within the NaSSA and TCA classes. Mianserin and TCAs such as Clomi-
pramine and Dosulepin exhibit higher non-response rates [37], leading to greater
healthcare expenditures over the treatment period. While these drugs remain val-
uable options for treatment-resistant depression, their use should be carefully
weighed against their economic burden. This finding suggests that healthcare pro-
viders should adopt a stepped approach to prescribing antidepressants, prioritiz-
ing SSRIs for initial treatment, and reserving NaSSAs and TCAs for patients who
demonstrate poor responses to first-line therapies. Despite the promising results,
certain limitations must be acknowledged. The simulated data used in this study
lacks granularity in demographic variations, which could influence real-world
outcomes. Additionally, while confidence intervals account for variability, they
may not fully capture extreme outliers or rare patient responses. Finally, cost es-
timates are generalized and may differ across healthcare systems, underscoring
the need for localized studies to validate these findings further. Future research
should integrate diverse patient populations and real-world clinical data to en-
hance the model’s applicability across different demographic and economic con-
texts.
5. Conclusion
This study leverages machine learning and visual analytics to optimize antidepres-
sant selection by analyzing non-response rates and associated healthcare costs.
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 10
Open Access Library Journal
The findings underscore the superiority of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) as the most effective and economically viable option for treating major
depressive disorder (MDD) [38]. SSRIs consistently demonstrated lower non-re-
sponse rates and slower cumulative risk progression over a two-year period, rein-
forcing their status as the preferred first-line treatment [39]-[41]. Their use min-
imizes treatment adjustments, reduces hospitalizations, and alleviates indirect
costs such as productivity loss, contributing to broader economic benefits for
healthcare systems. In contrast, antidepressants within the noradrenergic and spe-
cific serotonergic antidepressants (NaSSAs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
classes exhibited higher non-response rates and greater economic burdens [42]-
[46]. Drugs like Mianserin (NaSSA) and Clomipramine (TCA) emerged as costly
outliers, suggesting that their use should be reserved for patients who do not re-
spond to SSRIs or other lower-risk options [47] [48]. The study highlights the im-
portance of a tiered prescribing approach, prioritizing SSRIs while reserving
higher-risk medications for more severe, treatment-resistant cases [49]-[51]. By
adopting such strategies, clinicians can improve patient outcomes while curbing
unnecessary healthcare expenditure. Future research should focus on integrating
real-world clinical data to refine the predictive accuracy of cost and risk models,
ensuring applicability across diverse patient populations and healthcare environ-
ments [52]. This approach will further enhance personalized treatment strategies
and economic sustainability in MDD management.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
[1] Blackburn, T.P. (2019) Depressive Disorders: Treatment Failures and Poor Prognosis
over the Last 50 Years.
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives
, 7, e00472.
https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.472
[2] Voineskos, D., Daskalakis, Z.J. and Blumberger, D.M. (2020) Management of Treat-
ment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies.
Neuropsychiatric Disease and
Treatment
, 16, 221-234. https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s198774
[3] Al-harbi, K.S. (2012) Treatment-Resistant Depression: Therapeutic Trends, Chal-
lenges, and Future Directions.
Patient Preference and Adherence
, 6, 369-388.
https://doi.org/10.2147/ppa.s29716
[4] Rosenblat, J.D. and McIntyre, R.S. (2020) Pharmacological Treatment of Major De-
pressive Disorder. In: McIntyre, R.S., Ed.,
Major Depressive Disorder
, Elsevier, 103-
119. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-58131-8.00008-2
[5] Fornaro, M. (2012) Beyond Monoamines towards the Development of Novel Antide-
pressants.
Journal of Psychopathology
, 18, 226-233.
[6] Kekic, A. (2023) Pharmacogenomics in Psychiatric Diseases. In: Primorac, D., Höppner,
W. and Bach-Rojecky, L., Eds.,
Pharmacogenomics in Clinical Practice
, Springer, 147-
185. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45903-0_9
[7] Larsen, E.R., Damkier, P., Pedersen, L.H., Fenger-Gron, J., Mikkelsen, R.L., Nielsen,
R.E.,
et al
. (2015) Use of Psychotropic Drugs during Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding.
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 11
Open Access Library Journal
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
, 132, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.12479
[8] Kendrick, T., Taylor, D. and Johnson, C.F. (2019) Which First-Line Antidepressant?
British Journal of General Practice
, 69, 114-115.
https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp19x701405
[9] Santarsieri, D. and Schwartz, T. (2015) Antidepressant Efficacy and Side-Effect Bur-
den: A Quick Guide for Clinicians.
Drugs in Context
, 4, 1-12.
https://doi.org/10.7573/dic.212290
[10] Dauchy, S., Dolbeault, S. and Reich, M. (2013) Depression in Cancer Patients.
Euro-
pean Journal of Cancer Supplements
, 11, 205-215.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcsup.2013.07.006
[11] Werneke, U., Northey, S. and Bhugra, D. (2006) Antidepressants and Sexual Dysfunc-
tion.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
, 114, 384-397.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00890.x
[12] Ascher-Svanum, H., Zhao, F., Detke, H.C., Nyhuis, A.W., Lawson, A.H., Stauffer,
V.L.,
et al
. (2011) Early Response Predicts Subsequent Response to Olanzapine Long-
Acting Injection in a Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Treatment for
Schizophrenia.
BMC Psychiatry
, 11, Article No. 152.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-11-152
[13] Versluis, J.M., Long, G.V. and Blank, C.U. (2020) Learning from Clinical Trials of
Neoadjuvant Checkpoint Blockade.
Nature Medicine
, 26, 475-484.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0829-0
[14] Djordjevic, L. (2014) Household Portfolio Choices and Health Care Systems: What
Does Item Non-Response Add to the Picture? In: Varazdin, V.D., Ed.,
Scientific Book
of Proceedings from the
5
th International Scientific Conference on Economic
, 61.
[15] Macinati, M.S. and Anessi-Pessina, E. (2014) Management Accounting Use and Fi-
nancial Performance in Public Health-Care Organisations: Evidence from the Italian
National Health Service.
Health Policy
, 117, 98-111.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.03.011
[16] Crow, R., Gage, H., Hampson, S., Hart, J., Kimber, A., Storey, L.,
et al
. (2002) The
Measurement of Satisfaction with Healthcare: Implications for Practice from a Sys-
tematic Review of the Literature.
Health Technology Assessment
, 6, 1-244.
https://doi.org/10.3310/hta6320
[17] Gyllensten, H., Rehnberg, C., Jönsson, A.K., Petzold, M., Carlsten, A. and Andersson
Sundell, K. (2013) Cost of Illness of Patient-Reported Adverse Drug Events: A Popu-
lation-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.
BMJ Open
, 3, e002574.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002574
[18] Desai, P.R., Lawson, K.A., Barner, J.C. and Rascati, K.L. (2013) Estimating the Direct
and Indirect Costs for Community-Dwelling Patients with Schizophrenia.
Journal of
Pharmaceutical Health Services Research
, 4, 187-194.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jphs.12027
[19] Chan, E., Zhan, C. and Homer, C.J. (2002) Health Care Use and Costs for Children
with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent
Medicine
, 156, 504-511. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.156.5.504
[20] Simon, G.E., Manning, W.G., Katzelnick, D.J., Pearson, S.D., Henk, H.J. and Helstad,
C.P. (2001) Cost-Effectiveness of Systematic Depression Treatment for High Utilizers
of General Medical Care.
Archives of General Psychiatry
, 58, 181-187.
https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.58.2.181
[21] Gupta, S., Isherwood, G., Jones, K. and Van Impe, K. (2015) Productivity Loss and
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 12
Open Access Library Journal
Resource Utilization, and Associated Indirect and Direct Costs in Individuals Provid-
ing Care for Adults with Schizophrenia in the EU5.
ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes
Research
, 7, 593-602. https://doi.org/10.2147/ceor.s94334
[22] Andersson, A., Levin, L.Å. and Emtinger, B.G. (2002) The Economic Burden of Infor-
mal Care.
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care
, 18, 46-54.
[23] Goettler, A., Grosse, A. and Sonntag, D. (2017) Productivity Loss Due to Overweight
and Obesity: A Systematic Review of Indirect Costs.
BMJ Open
, 7, e014632.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014632
[24] O'Hagan, A., Stevenson, M. and Madan, J. (2006) Monte Carlo Probabilistic Sensitiv-
ity Analysis for Patient Level Simulation Models: Efficient Estimation of Mean and
Variance Using Anova.
Health Economics
, 16, 1009-1023.
https://doi.org/10.1002/hec.1199
[25] Roberts, J.A., Kirkpatrick, C.M.J. and Lipman, J. (2010) Monte Carlo Simulations:
Maximizing Antibiotic Pharmacokinetic Data to Optimize Clinical Practice for Crit-
ically Ill Patients.
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
, 66, 227-231.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkq449
[26] Jacobson, S.H. and Sewell, E.C. (2002) Using Monte Carlo Simulation to Determine
Combination Vaccine Price Distributions for Childhood Diseases.
Health Care Man-
agement Science
, 5, 135-145. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1014437201340
[27] Lin, E., Kuo, P., Liu, Y., Yu, Y.W., Yang, A.C. and Tsai, S. (2018) A Deep Learning
Approach for Predicting Antidepressant Response in Major Depression Using Clini-
cal and Genetic Biomarkers.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
, 9, Article 290.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00290
[28] Perna, G., Alciati, A., Daccò, S., Grassi, M. and Caldirola, D. (2020) Personalized Psy-
chiatry and Depression: The Role of Sociodemographic and Clinical Variables.
Psy-
chiatry Investigation
, 17, 193-206. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.0289
[29] Haddad, P.M., Talbot, P.S., Anderson, I.M. and McAllister-Williams, R.H. (2015)
Managing Inadequate Antidepressant Response in Depressive Illness.
British Medical
Bulletin
, 115, 183-201. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldv034
[30] Johnston, K.M., Powell, L.C., Anderson, I.M., Szabo, S. and Cline, S. (2019) The Bur-
den of Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review of the Economic and
Quality of Life Literature.
Journal of Affective Disorders
, 242, 195-210.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.06.045
[31] Serebruany, V.L., Glassman, A.H., Malinin, A.I., Nemeroff, C.B., Musselman, D.L., van
Zyl, L.T.,
et al
. (2003) Platelet/Endothelial Biomarkers in Depressed Patients Treated
with the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Sertraline after Acute Coronary Events:
The Sertraline Anti-Depressant Heart Attack Randomized Trial (SADHART) Platelet
Substudy.
Circulation
, 108, 939-944.
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.cir.0000085163.21752.0a
[32] Pinder, R.M. (1991) Mianserin: Pharmacological and Clinical Correlates.
Nordisk
Psykiatrisk Tidsskrift
, 45, 13-26. https://doi.org/10.3109/08039489109096678
[33] Driscoll, H.C., Karp, J.F., Dew, M.A. and Reynolds, C.F. (2007) Getting Better, Get-
ting Well: Understanding and Managing Partial and Non-Response to Pharmacolog-
ical Treatment of Non-Psychotic Major Depression in Old Age.
Drugs & Aging
, 24,
801-814. https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-200724100-00002
[34] Kendrick, T., Chatwin, J., Dowrick, C., Tylee, A., Morriss, R., Peveler, R.,
et al
. (2009)
Randomised Controlled Trial to Determine the Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Ef-
fectiveness of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Plus Supportive Care, versus
Supportive Care Alone, for Mild to Moderate Depression with Somatic Symptoms in
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 13
Open Access Library Journal
Primary Care: The Thread (Threshold for Antidepressant Response) Study.
Health
Technology Assessment
, 13, 1-159. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta13220
[35] Cutler, D.M. (2004) Your Money or Your Life: Strong Medicine for Americas Health
Care System. Oxford University Press.
[36] Kessing, L.V., Ziersen, S.C., Andersen, F.M., Gerds, T. and Budtz-Jørgensen, E. (2024)
Comparative Responses to 17 Different Antidepressants in Major Depressive Disorder:
Results from a 2Year LongTerm NationWide PopulationBased Study Emulating a
Randomized Trial.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
, 149, 378-388.
https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13673
[37] Marks, M. (2018) Psychedelic Medicine for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disor-
ders: Overcoming Social and Legal Obstacles.
Journal of Legislation and Public Pol-
icy
, 21, 69-140.
[38] (2022) 15th Conference Clinical Trials Alzheimer’s Disease, November 29-December 2,
2022, San Francisco, CA, USA:
Symposia
Oral Communications
Late Breaking Ab-
stracts
(
Clinical Trial Alzheimer
s Disease
).
The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer
s
Disease
, 9, 8-50. https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2022.96
[39] Pujari, S., Patel, A., Joshi, S.R., Gangakhedkar, R., Ku-marasamy, N. and Gupta, S.B.
(2008) Guidelines for Use of Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Infected Individuals in
India (ART Guidelines 2008).
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of Indian
,
56, 339-371.
[40] Welberry, H. (2021) Using Linked Health and Social Care Data to Monitor Dementia
Incidence and Evaluate Dementia Care in Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, UNSW Sydney.
[41] Sartorius, N., Baghai, T.C., Baldwin, D.S., Barrett, B., Brand, U., Fleischhacker, W.,
et al
.
(2007) Antidepressant Medications and Other Treatments of Depressive Disorders:
A CINP Task Force Report Based on a Review of Evidence.
The International Journal
of Neuropsychopharmacology
, 10, S1-S207.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1461145707008255
[42] Rosenzweig-Lipson, S., Beyer, C.E., Hughes, Z.A., Khawaja, X., Rajarao, S.J., Malberg,
J.E.,
et al
. (2007) Differentiating Antidepressants of the Future: Efficacy and Safety.
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
, 113, 134-153.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2006.07.002
[43] Baghai, T.C., Blier, P., Baldwin, D.S., Bauer, M., Goodwin, G.M., Fountoulakis, K.N.,
et al
. (2011) General and Comparative Efficacy and Effectiveness of Antidepressants
in the Acute Treatment of Depressive Disorders: A Report by the WPA Section of
Pharmacopsychiatry.
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
,
261, 207-245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-011-0259-6
[44] Bandelow, B., Zohar, J., Hollander, E., Kasper, S., Möller, H., WFSBP Task Force on
Treatment Guide,
et al
. (2008) World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry
(WFSBP) Guidelines for the Pharmacological Treatment of Anxiety, Obsessive-Com-
pulsive and Post-Traumatic Stress DisordersFirst Revision.
The World Journal of
Biological Psychiatry
, 9, 248-312. https://doi.org/10.1080/15622970802465807
[45] Dold, M., Kautzky, A., Bartova, L., Rabl, U., Souery, D., Mendlewicz, J.,
et al
. (2016)
Pharmacological Treatment Strategies in Unipolar Depression in European Tertiary
Psychiatric Treatment CentersA Pharmacoepidemiological Cross-Sectional Multi-
center Study.
European Neuropsychopharmacology
, 26, 1960-1971.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.10.005
[46] Resende, S., Deschrijver, C., Van De Velde, E. and Verstraete, A. (2015) Development
and Validation of an Analytical Method for Quantification of 15 Non-Tricyclic An-
tidepressants in Serum with UPLC-MS/MS.
Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique
, 27,
R. de Filippis, A. Al Foysal
DOI:
10.4236/oalib.1112896 14
Open Access Library Journal
S54-S55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxac.2015.03.083
[47] Hemels, M. (2003) Rates of Abortions Following Exposure to Antidepressants: A Me-
Ta-Analysis. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Toronto.
[48] Kruger, T. and Christophersen, E. (2006) An Open Label Study of the Use of Dronabinol
(Marinol) in the Management of Treatment-Resistant Self-Injurious Behavior in 10 Re-
tarded Adolescent Patients.
Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
, 27, 433.
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004703-200610000-00029
[49] Bailey, R.K. (2013) A Doctors Prescription for Health Care Reform: The National
Medical Association Tackles Disparities, Stigma, and the Status Quo. West Bow Press.
[50] Crews, B.O. and Pesce, A.J. (2024) Drug testing in pain management. In: Dasgupta, A.,
Ed.,
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
, Elsevier, 299-329.
https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-18649-3.00010-0
[51] Filippis, R.d. and Foysal, A.A. (2024) Securing Predictive Psychological Assessments:
The Synergy of Blockchain Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Open Access Li-
brary Journal
, 11, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112378
[52] Filippis, R.d. and Foysal, A.A. (2024) Comparative Analysis of Gabaergics vs. Opioids
in Chronic Pain Management.
Open Access Library Journal
, 11, 1-25.
https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112388
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Article
Full-text available
Background Long‐term studies comparing nonresponse to antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD) are lacking. Aims To present systematic population‐based nation‐wide register data on comparative 2‐year non‐response within six antidepressant drug classes and 17 different antidepressants in patients with MDD. Method The study included all 106,920 patients in Denmark with a first main index diagnosis of MDD at a psychiatric hospital inpatient or outpatient contact and who subsequently had a purchase of an antidepressant in the period from 1995 to 2018. Non‐response to first antidepressant within a 2‐year study period was defined as switch to or add‐on of another antidepressant, antipsychotic medication, lithium, or hospitalization. Analyses emulated a targeted trial in populations standardized according to age, sex, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity with psychiatric and physical disorders. Results Compared with sertraline, there was no difference for citalopram (RR: 1.00 [95% CI: 0.98–1.02]) but fluoxetine (1.13 [95% CI: 1.10–1.17]), paroxetine (1.06 [95% CI: 1.01–1.10]) and escitalopram (1.22 [95% CI: 1.18–1.25]) were associated with higher risk ratio of non‐responses. Within selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, sertraline outperformed reboxetine; within serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, venlafaxine outperformed duloxetine; within noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants , mirtazapine outperformed mianserin and within the class of other antidepressants, sertraline outperformed agomelatine and vortioxetine. Within tricyclic antidepressants, compared to amitriptyline, nortriptyline, dosulepin, and clomipramine had higher non‐response, whereas there was no difference for imipramine. Conclusions These analyses emulating a randomized trial of “real world” observational register‐based data show that 2‐year long‐term non‐responses to some antidepressants within six different drug classes are increased over others.
Article
Full-text available
Despite several pharmacological options, the clinical outcomes of major depressive disorder (MDD) are often unsatisfactory. Personalized psychiatry attempts to tailor therapeutic interventions according to each patient's unique profile and characteristics. This approach can be a crucial strategy in improving pharmacological outcomes in MDD and overcoming trial-and-error treatment choices. In this narrative review, we evaluate whether sociodemographic (i.e., gender, age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status) and clinical [i.e., body mass index (BMI), severity of depressive symptoms, and symptom profiles] variables that are easily assessable in clinical practice may help clinicians to optimize the selection of antidepressant treatment for each patient with MDD at the early stages of the disorder. We found that several variables were associated with poorer outcomes for all antidepressants. However, only preliminary associations were found between some clinical variables (i.e., BMI, anhedonia, and MDD with melancholic/atypical features) and possible benefits with some specific antidepressants. Finally, in clinical practice, the assessment of sociodemographic and clinical variables considered in our review can be valuable for early identification of depressed individuals at high risk for poor responses to antidepressants, but there are not enough data on which to ground any reliable selection of specific antidepressant class or compounds. Recent advances in computational resources, such as machine learning techniques, which are able to integrate multiple potential predictors, such as individual/ clinical variables, biomarkers, and genetic factors, may offer future reliable tools to guide personalized antidepressant choice for each patient with MDD.
Article
Full-text available
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a subset of Major Depressive Disorder which does not respond to traditional and first-line therapeutic options. There are several definitions and staging models of TRD and a consensus for each has not yet been established. However, in common for each model is the inadequate response to at least 2 trials of antidepressant pharmacotherapy. In this review, a comprehensive analysis of existing literature regarding the challenges and management of TRD has been compiled. A PubMed search was performed to assemble meta-analyses, trials and reviews on the topic of TRD. First, we address the confounds in the definitions and staging models of TRD, and subsequently the difficulties inherent in assessing the illness. Pharmacological augmentation strategies including lithium, triiodothyronine and second-generation antipsychotics are reviewed, as is switching of antidepressant class. Somatic therapies, including several modalities of brain stimulation (electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic seizure therapy and deep brain stimulation) are detailed, psychotherapeutic strategies and subsequently novel therapeutics including ketamine, psilocybin, anti-inflammatories and new directions are reviewed in this manuscript. Our review of the evidence suggests that further large-scale work is necessary to understand the appropriate treatment pathways for TRD and to prescribe effective therapeutic options for patients suffering from TRD.
Article
Full-text available
Depression like many diseases is pleiotropic but unlike cancer and Alzheimer's disease for example, is still largely stigmatized and falls into the dark shadows of human illness. The failure of depression to be in the spotlight for successful treatment options is inherent in the complexity of the disease(s), flawed clinical diagnosis, overgeneralization of the illness, inadequate and biased clinical trial design, restrictive and biased inclusion/exclusion criteria, lack of approved/robust biomarkers, expensive imaging technology along with few advances in neurobiological hypotheses in decades. Clinical trial studies summitted to the regulatory agencies (FDA/EMA) for approval, have continually failed to show significant differences between active and placebo. For decades, we have acknowledged this failure, despite vigorous debated by all stakeholders to provide adequate answers to this escalating problem, with only a few new antidepressants approved in the last 20 years with equivocal efficacy, little improvement in side effects or onset of efficacy. It is also clear that funding and initiatives for mental illness lags far behind other life‐treating diseases. Thus, it is no surprise we have not achieved much success in the last 50 years in treating depression, but we are accountable for the many failures and suboptimal treatment. This review will therefore critically address where we have failed and how future advances in medical science offers a glimmer of light for the patient and aid our future understanding of the neurobiology and pathophysiology of the disease, enabling transformative therapies for the treatment of depressive disorders.
Chapter
Mental health disorders are prevalent, complex, and difficult to treat illnesses. Psychopharmacotherapy is the cornerstone of their treatment. Drug selection is still heuristic, due to the lack of reliable biological biomarkers to predict treatment response. Genetic variants of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic genes contribute to a quarter of total drug response variability across the population. The promise of pharmacogenomics in psychiatry is a better prediction of psychotropic drug response. This chapter will focus on genetic variants with demonstrated clinical impact related to antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and other psychotropics.
Article
Neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibition, in which the therapy is administered before surgery, is a promising new approach to managing bulky but resectable melanoma, and is also being explored in other cancers. This strategy has a high pathologic response rate, which correlates with survival outcomes. The fact that biopsies are routinely available provides a unique opportunity for understanding the responses to therapy and carrying out reverse translation in which these data are used to select therapies in the clinic or in trials that are more likely to improve patient outcomes. In this Perspective, we discuss the rationale for neoadjuvant immunotherapy in resectable solid tumors based on preclinical and human translational data, summarize the results of recent clinical trials and ongoing research, and focus on future directions for enhancing reverse translation. The emerging success of neoadjuvant therapy is creating opportunities for understanding successful immune responses and improving therapies using this unique pool of knowledge.
Chapter
This chapter describes current and emerging evidence-based pharmacological treatments for major depressive disorder. Over the past 60 years, antidepressants have primarily targeted the monoamine system, starting with the serendipitous discovery of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants. Numerous mechanistically dissimilar antidepressants targeting the monoamine system have now been developed. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors represent the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, with several other classes of antidepressants available with comparable efficacy and tolerability. Most recent advances in antidepressant drug development have targeted specific monoamine receptors, rather than only increasing monoamine levels. Targeting specific receptors has allowed for modest improvements in efficacy and tolerability, as well as novel benefits, such as procognitive effects produced by antagonism of 5HT7. Numerous nonmonoaminergic systems (e.g., glutamate, inflammation) are now being targeted with novel agents that may represent the next generation of antidepressants. Glutamate modulating agents, such as ketamine, show the most promise, demonstrating rapid and robust antidepressant effects.