For the first time, FDA oks antipsychotic med for depression - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

MikeWaters · 03-13-2008, 03:27 PM

http://www.webmd.com/depression/news...for-depression

Jeff Lebowski · 03-13-2008, 04:55 PM

Mike, there is an interesting article on placebos vs. antidepressants in this week's issue of newsweek:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/120094

I would be interested in hearing your opinion.

MikeWaters · 03-13-2008, 07:05 PM

The placebo effect is indeed very strong.

Say you have a depression trial. After 6 weeks, 40% of the placebo group are better and 55% of the medication group are better. You had better have enough numbers to ensure statistical power.

So clinical researchers do spend time trying to "combat" placebo effect, by designing trials to not have the folks that are likey to get better very easily and quickly.

03-13-2008, 03:27 PM	#1
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,368	For the first time, FDA oks antipsychotic med for depression http://www.webmd.com/depression/news...for-depression

03-13-2008, 04:55 PM	#2
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	Mike, there is an interesting article on placebos vs. antidepressants in this week's issue of newsweek: http://www.newsweek.com/id/120094 I would be interested in hearing your opinion. __________________ "... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr.

03-13-2008, 07:05 PM	#3
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,368	The placebo effect is indeed very strong. Say you have a depression trial. After 6 weeks, 40% of the placebo group are better and 55% of the medication group are better. You had better have enough numbers to ensure statistical power. So clinical researchers do spend time trying to "combat" placebo effect, by designing trials to not have the folks that are likey to get better very easily and quickly.