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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2021 Aug 1.
Published in final edited form as: Am J Psychiatry. 2020 May 27;177(8):686–705. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19080848

Hormonal Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder: State of the Art

Jennifer B Dwyer 1,*, Awais Aftab 2,*, Rajiv Radhakrishnan 3, Alik Widge 4, Carolyn I Rodriguez 5, Linda L Carpenter 6, Charles B Nemeroff 7, William M McDonald 8, Ned H Kalin 9, APA Council of Research Task Force on Novel Biomarkers and Treatments
PMCID: PMC7841732  NIHMSID: NIHMS1624693  PMID: 32456504

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with marked suffering, morbidity, mortality, and cost. The World Health Organization projects that by 2030, MDD will be the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. While numerous treatments for MDD exist, many patients fail to adequately respond to traditional antidepressants. Thus, more effective treatments for MDD are needed and targeting certain hormonal systems is a conceptually based approach that has shown promise in the treatment of MDD. A number of hormones and hormone-manipulating compounds have been evaluated as monotherapies or adjunctive treatments for MDD, with therapeutic actions attributable not only to the modulation of endocrine systems in the periphery, but also to the central nervous system effects of hormones on non-endocrine brain circuitry. Here we describe the physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid (HPT), and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal hormone (HPG) axes and review the evidence for select hormone-based interventions for the treatment of depression in order to provide an update on the state of this field for clinicians and researchers. We focus on the HPA-based interventions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, mifepristone, the HPT-based treatments of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), and the HPG-based treatments of estrogen replacement therapy, the progesterone -derivative, allopregnanolone, and testosterone. While some treatments have largely failed to translate from preclinical studies, others have shown promising initial results and represent active fields of study in the search for novel effective treatments for MDD.

Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder that is associated with marked suffering, morbidity, mortality, and cost (1, 2). The lifetime prevalence of MDD in adults in United States is estimated to be 17% (3), higher in women than men (21% vs 13%) (4), with a 12-month prevalence of approximately 7% (5). In 2010 the economic cost of depression in United States was $210 billion(2). The World Health Organization projects that worldwide, MDD will be the leading cause of disease burden by 2030 (6). While numerous treatments for MDD exist, many patients fail to adequately respond to traditional antidepressants. In the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial, one-third of MDD patients experienced a remission of depressive symptoms with their first antidepressant trial of citalopram, and only two-thirds of patients cumulatively experienced a remission after four sequential treatments (7). Thus, more effective treatments for MDD are needed. Targeting certain hormonal systems is a conceptually-based approach that has shown promise in the treatment of MDD.

Alterations in hormones and endocrine function may play an important role in mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of MDD. Primary abnormalities in the adrenal, thyroid, and gonadal axes are associated with alterations in mood, and medications targeting endocrine function are often accompanied by mood-related and cognitive effects. These clinical observations prompted exploration of the roles that hormones may play in the pathophysiology of MDD and of potential treatment approaches targeting specific hormonal systems. A number of hormones and hormone-manipulating compounds have been evaluated as monotherapies or adjunctive treatments for MDD, with therapeutic actions attributable not only to the modulation of endocrine systems in the periphery, but also to the central nervous system effects of hormones on non-endocrine brain circuitry. Here we review the evidence for clinically relevant hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA), hypothalamic-pituitary thyroid (HPT), and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal hormone (HPG)- based interventions for the treatment of depression.

I. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

Overview of Physiology

The HPA axis is a critical endocrine system that orchestrates the stress response, a complex set of behavioral, neuroendocrine, autonomic, and immune responses enabling adaptation to aversive psychological and physiological stimuli (8). The main components of the HPA axis are: i) the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, ii) the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and iii) the adrenal cortex.

The principal central initiator of HPA axis activity is corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), also termed corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) (9), a peptide secreted by the PVN in response to stress (Figure 1). CRF is released into the hypothalamo-hypophysial/portal system and stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary into the systemic circulation. Another hypothalamic peptide, arginine-vasopressin (AVP), can either be released into the hypophysial-portal system like CRF, or can be released from axon terminals in the posterior pituitary. AVP synergistically enhances ACTH release in combination with CRF, an action that may be especially relevant in states of chronic stress(10). Once released into the peripheral circulation, ACTH acts on the adrenal cortex stimulating the synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) into the systemic circulation. A cortisol binding globulin, transcortin, is found in plasma and when cortisol is bound to transcortin it is unable to interact with its receptors (11). AVP is also produced locally in the adrenal medulla and can stimulate release of cortisol, underscoring its role as a positive HPA regulator(12).

Figure 1-. Hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis:

Figure 1-

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) releases corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and, to a lesser extent, arginine-vasposressin (AVP). These factors stimulate the anterior pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the peripheral circulation, which stimulates the adrenal gland to release glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol). Glucocorticoids act on both glucocorticoid receptors and mineralocorticoid receptors. Negative feedback occurs at the level of the pituitary, the hypothalamus, and higher brain structures (e.g. cortex, hippocampus, and periventricular thalamus)

In the periphery and brain, cortisol acts via two distinct modes of signaling: i) membrane-bound glucocorticoid receptors that activate rapid protein kinase signaling and ii) more classic, protracted nuclear receptor signaling, in which intracellular glucocorticoid receptors translocate to the nucleus to transcriptionally regulate gene expression(13, 14). Two receptors bind cortisol: mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR). The MR has a higher affinity for cortisol than the GR, and this increased sensitivity to low cortisol concentrations allows it to regulate physiological fluctuations in HPA activity (e.g. the circadian rhythm of cortisol release). The MR is also thought to play an important role in inhibiting HPA axis activity(15) that is associated with adaptive coping and resilience to stress(16). The lower-affinity GR is better suited for detecting high cortisol concentrations, such as those released during the stress response. Although the expression of the MR is restricted to limbic brain regions, the GR is expressed much more widely, highlighting the broad impact that cortisol can have in modulating brain function.

When intracellular glucocorticoid receptors are activated, they translocate to the nucleus and bind to glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) on DNA to activate or repress gene expression to: i) mediate the diverse set of responses to stress and ii) to efficiently terminate the stress response, a concept known as feedback inhibition. Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated negative feedback occurs at multiple levels and via several mechanisms within the CNS and pituitary (Figure 1). At the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary, both rapid inhibition via fast, membrane-bound signaling(17, 18), as well as slower nuclear receptor-mediated transcriptional repression of the genes that produce CRF and ACTH exist(19). The GR also can down-regulate its own activity in response to cortisol via transcriptional induction of the chaperone protein FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5), which sequesters the GR in the cytoplasm, preventing it from entering the nucleus(20). Glucocorticoid receptors also mediate feedback inhibition more indirectly via limbic areas such as the hippocampus(21), paraventricular thalamus (PVT)(22) and prefrontal cortex(23), which likely play a larger role in the processing of psychological versus physiological stressors(21). The regulation of negative feedback within the HPA axis is complex, but critically important in modulating adaptive responses to stress, i.e. creating a system that can quickly respond to a stressor, and then efficiently terminate, reset, and await the next event.

In addition to the classic endocrine functions of the HPA axis, the hypothalamic peptides (CRF, and to a lesser extent AVP) also regulate neural circuits relevant to stress, anxiety, and mood processing. CRF is a member of a family of peptides and is expressed not only in the PVN, but also in limbic regions including the central nucleus of the amygdala, cerebrocortical areas, and the brainstem(24). CRF’s two predominant receptors (CRFR1 and CRFR2) also have significant extra-hypothalamic expression. A binding protein, CRFBP is thought to modulate CRF activity by preventing its access to its receptors. Taken together, the extra-hypothalamic roles of the CRF system are critically important, and alterations in these systems have been implicated in the pathogenesis of affective and anxiety disorders.

HPA abnormalities in MDD:

Early work on the pathophysiology of depression suggested hyperactivity of the HPA axis and impairment in its sensitivity to negative feedback regulation in MDD, though more recent investigations suggest a much more complex picture. Alterations at every level of the HPA system have been reported, although these reports have not always been replicated and the various reported alterations may occur in subsets of individuals with MDD. In general, MDD patients are reported to exhibit hyperactivity of the HPA axis with impaired sensitivity to negative feedback, however, subsets of patients with hypocortisolemia have been reported (25). It is noteworthy that HPA axis over-activity appears to be particularly enriched in melancholic and psychotic depression subtypes (2628).

While HPA axis abnormalities have been studied in large numbers of patients (e.g. a meta-analysis including over 18,000 subjects (29)), results are overall heterogenous and effect sizes modest. That said, the most prominently reported HPA axis alterations associated with depression include: 1) blunted cortisol circadian rhythms with elevated levels late in the day (29), 2) negative feedback insensitivity as characterized by a failure to suppress morning cortisol after the administration of dexamethasone (30), 3) increased release of cortisol in response to exogenously administered ACTH (31), 4) blunted ACTH in response to CRF administration (32), 5) exaggerated ACTH and cortisol responses in the combined dexamethasone-CRF test (33, 34) 6) increased cerebrospinal fluid CRF concentrations(35, 36), and 7) downregulation of brain CRHR1 receptors and mRNA, hypothesized to reflect compensatory changes to persistently high CRF concentrations(37). Additionally, genetic studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs )in genes relevant to the stress response, modulators of glucocorticoid function (e.g., GR, FKBP5), and the CRF system (e.g., CRFR1, CRFR2, CRFBP) that are either associated with MDD and/or potentially related to treatment response(3840).

HPA axis-based treatments for MDD

A number of strategies have attempted to modulate HPA function and/or extrahypothalamic related targets as an approach to treat MDD. Several strategies showed initial promise in small clinical trials but were subsequently abandoned. These strategies include cortisol synthesis inhibitors in MDD patients with or without hypercortisolemia, glucocorticoids in MDD patients with hypocortisolemia, and vasopressin receptor antagonists,. For example, the cortisol synthesis inhibitor, metyrapone, showed positive antidepressant effects as an augmentation agent in several small (N ranging from 6 to 9) trials(4144) and one larger double-blind inpatient study (N=63)(45), however a larger multi-site randomized controlled trial (N=165) was negative (46). Stimulation of MRs (e.g. the MR agonist, fludrocortisone) is also a strategy under investigation(47). Treatments focused on the CRF and GR systems have been the most extensively studied and here we discuss these approaches in more depth: (1) CRFR1 antagonists, driven by highly promising preclinical data, have so far not proved effective in humans, and (2) the GR antagonist, mifepristone, in the treatment of MDD with psychotic features, which shows much promise and remains an active area of investigation.

(1). CRFR1 antagonists

The potential of CRFR1 antagonists generated considerable interest given the preclinical and clinical evidence implicating excess CRF production in the pathophysiology of MDD. Preclinical studies showed that central injection or overexpression of CRF in certain brain areas such as the amygdala generates anxious and depressive phenotypes, and that CRFR1 antagonists block these behavioral manifestations (4850). The human studies suggesting hyperactivity of the CRF system in MDD and its resolution with antidepressant treatment(51) further bolstered the rationale for targeting this system directly. Despite initial positive results(52), this line of research has suffered from a series of disappointments. Two early compounds were abandoned due to hepatotoxicity (R-121919 and PF-00572778), and subsequent double-blind, placebo-controlled trials yielded negative results or were stopped early due to lack of efficacy (ONO-2333 Ms (N=278)(50), CP-316,311 (N=123)(53), BMS-562086 (N=260 for generalized anxiety disorder(54), trial ended unpublished for MDD)). Although the current CRFR1 antagonists do not appear to have efficacy as a monotherapy for MDD, there appears to be value in further studying novel compounds with different pharmacokinetic profiles in subpopulations selected for functional genetic alterations in the CRF system (38). Moreover, the lack of a PET ligand to assess receptor occupancy of the CRFR1 antagonist has precluded an understanding of whether the doses used were sufficient to adequately test the efficacy of this strategy. In addition, these compounds have never been tested in combination with other antidepressants. Strategies targeting the other major CRF receptor (CRF2) and the CRF binding protein could also be useful. According to ClinicalTrials.gov, no current CRF antagonist trials are actively recruiting patients.

(2). GR antagonists

GR antagonists have been tested primarily in psychotic depression for the following reasons: (1) patients with Cushing’s syndrome and patients receiving high-dose exogenous glucocorticoids often have marked mood and psychotic symptoms, 2) effective treatment of the endocrine abnormality in these patients frequently reverses these symptoms, and 3) HPA axis abnormalities are enriched in patients with MDD with psychotic features (39). Preclinical data from animal models of depression supported the use of GR antagonists as augmenting agents, enhancing both the speed of effect and overall efficacy of SSRIs (55). Small early studies with ketaconazole, an anti-fungal medication that also antagonizes GR receptors and inhibits cortisol synthesis, showed mixed results (antidepressant effects in an open study of multiple cortisol synthesis inhibitors ((43), N=17); antidepressant effects in hypercortisolemic but not eucortisolemic patients in a double-blind study ((56), N=20); no significant antidepressant effects in a double-blind study ((57), N=16))..Mifepristone (RU-486), which antagonizes both the GR and progesterone receptor, has been the most rigorously tested GR antagonist. The mifepristone studies are relatively unique in that subjects received the medication for 7 days, and symptoms were measured 1 week, 1 month, and even later, when patients were on standard antidepressant monotherapy. Although results from individual clinical trials have been somewhat inconsistent (see Supplemental Table 1), a summary of seven clinical trials, five of them double blind (N ranging from 5 to 433), suggests that mifepristone has efficacy in reducing psychotic symptoms, the primary outcomes of the trials. Two double blind trials showed a significant difference in the proportion of responders of mifepristone compared to placebo (response defined as a 50% reduction in the Brief Psychiatric Ratings Scale (BPRS)- Positive Symptom subscale in (58) and a 30% reduction in the full BPRS in (59)). Depressive symptoms were considered as secondary outcomes in these trials and often did not show a separation from placebo (60). Importantly, mifepristone’s effectiveness appears to be optimized when attaining a plasma level of ~1600ng/mL, which equates to roughly 1200 mg/day orally (61). Thus, inadequate dosing may explain the results of some earlier trials that did not show significant differences from placebo (58). Indeed, a recent study combining and re-analyzing the data from five placebo-controlled trials (N= 833 mifepristone; N = 627 placebo) showed that when patients with psychotic MDD achieved therapeutic plasma levels there was robust improvement in psychotic symptoms starting at 28 days and lasting through 56 days, the last time point examined, with a NNT of 7 (compared to a NNT of 48 in patients with low plasma mifepristone levels) (62). Patients with high mifepristone plasma levels also showed a reduction of depressive symptoms relative to placebo, while patients with low mifepristone plasma levels did not(62). These are intriguing findings that should replicated in clinical trials specifically designed to test this hypothesis. Although mifepristone is associated with some gastrointestinal side effects and headache, very few patients discontinued due to side effects. These data are a promising start and represent a non-traditional dosing advantage of a time-limited treatment with persisting benefit (at least 56 days). Multiple studies of mifepristone are listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, typically as an adjunctive treatment (to ECT in non-psychotic depression (NCT00285818) and to a mood stabilizer in bipolar depression (NCT00043654)), as well as a monotherapy for alcohol use disorder (NCT02179749, (63)). Neurocognitive symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders are another interesting potential application, as patients with bipolar disorder treated with mifepristone show improvements in spatial working memory (64). Of note, other GR antagonists with better selectivity for the GR receptor are being developed and tested, which underscores the level of interest and activity in exploring the therapeutic use of GR antagonists.

Summary of HPA Axis Targeted Interventions

Overall, the strongest support for HPA axis interventions in the treatment of depression is for the use of GR antagonists for the treatment of psychotic symptoms in psychotic depression (Table 1). While variation in response in individual mifepristone clinical trials occurred, combined re-analysis of all trial data supports efficacy, especially when plasma levels are considered. Despite considerable preclinical data, the clinical trial literature does not support the use of currently available CRFR1 antagonists for the treatment of MDD or other psychiatric disorders. Other HPA-based treatments (e.g. cortisol synthesis inhibitors, glucocorticoids, and vasopressin receptor antagonists) have been tested in small clinical trials, and together the evidence does not support their use in clinical practice.

Table 1.

Summary of Evidence

Intervention Disorder/Population Level of Evidence
CRF1 antagonists MDD Strong evidence of no benefit
GR antagonists (e.g. mifepristone) MDD with psychotic features Moderate evidence of efficacy for psychotic symptoms if minimum plasma level achieved- additional prospective studies needed
T3 augmentation of antidepressants Treatment-resistant MDD Moderate evidence of efficacy; efficacy of augmentation with SSRIs requires demonstration in placebo-controlled trials
Using T3 for acceleration of antidepressant effect with TCAs MDD Strong evidence of efficacy
Using T3 for acceleration of antidepressant effect with SSRIs MDD Strong evidence of no benefit
Estrogen replacement therapy (or combined hormone replacement therapy) Perimenopausal women with MDD and physical menopause symptoms Moderate evidence of efficacy
Estrogen replacement therapy (or combined hormone replacement therapy) Perimenopausal women without MDD (prevention) Weak evidence of benefit
Estrogen replacement therapy (or combined hormone replacement therapy) Postmenopausal women with MDD Poor as monotherpy, preliminary evidence as adjunct to SSRI in geriatric depression
Oral Contraceptives PMDD Moderate evidence of efficacy for drospirenone-containing OCPs, weak evidence of efficacy for other OCPs, despite being considered second line treatment after SSRIs
Allopregnenalone stabilizaztion PMDD Moderate evidence of efficacy
Allopregnenalone enhancement Post-partum depression Strong evidency of efficacy
Testosterone replacement therapy Depressive symptoms secondary to clinical hypogonadism Strong evidence of efficacy
Testosterone augmentation Subthreshold depressive symptoms in men without clinical hypogonadism Preliminary evidence of efficacy
Testosterone augmentation Treatment-resistant MDD in men without clinical hypogonadism Strong evidence of no benefit

II. Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Thyroid (HPT) Axis

Overview of Physiology

Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are the two primary thyroid hormones and they are responsible for regulation of metabolism and protein synthesis throughout the body (65). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), primarily released from neurons that originate in the hypothalamic PVN, regulates the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from the anterior pituitary gland (Figure 2). TSH stimulates the production of T4 and, to a lesser degree, T3 from the thyroid gland. Serum free T4 and free T3 levels regulate pituitary TSH release through negative feedback. T4 is primarily converted by the tissue deiodinases into the more biologically active T3 and the inactive metabolite reverse T3. Thyroid hormones are highly protein bound and it is only the free fraction that is biologically available. Effects of thyroid hormones are primarily mediated by their binding to nuclear receptors that transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Thyroid receptors have two predominant isoforms, TRα1 and TRβ1, with varying sensitivity to T4 and to T3. TRα1 is the predominant isoform in the brain, and while it is activated by both T3 and T4, it has heightened sensitivity to T4 compared to TRβ1. T3 and T4 enter the brain either directly across the blood–brain barrier or indirectly across the choroid plexus epithelium into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (66, 67). The transport across the blood-brain barrier happens via a number of identified and unidentified transporter proteins such as MCT8 or OATP1C1. Although both T3 and T4 are transported from circulation into the CNS, T4 is thought to be transported in preference to T3 (66, 67). In the brain, deiodinase-2 in astrocytes is the primary enzyme that converts T4 into T3, which is critical for the local generation of T3 that interacts with neurons. Deiodinase-3, another CNS thyroid enzyme, is selectively expressed in neurons. Deiodinase 3 inactivates both T4 and T3 by deiodination (66, 68). Thyroid hormones in the CSF help maintain the brain interstitial levels of thyroid hormones. T4 is carried in the CSF via a number of transport proteins, including transthyretin (67). Transthyretin is secreted into the CSF by the choroid plexus and is the primary CSF carrier of T4. Lower levels of transthyretin have been reported in the CSF of depressed patients compared to controls and this has been suggested to lead to a state of “brain hypothyroidism” despite normal peripheral thyroid hormone levels (69). This remains speculative, because in animal studies rodents with absent transthyretin maintain normal T3 and T4 levels in brain due to additional transport systems (70).

Figure 2-. Hypothalamic-pituitary- thyroid (HPT) axis:

Figure 2-

The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) releases thyroid releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) into the peripheral circulation. The Thyroid gland then releases T4 and T3 into the circulation. Circulating T4 can also be converted to T3 via deiodinases. These hormones act on thyroid receptors in target organs, and as a means of regulating negative feedback at the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary.

HPT abnormalities in MDD

Clinical hypothyroidism is frequently associated with depressive symptoms (71), and subclinical hypothyroidism (defined as elevated serum TSH with normal serum T3 and T4 levels) is commonly reported in treatment-resistant depression (72, 73). However, most patients with depression do not have biochemical evidence of thyroid dysfunction (69, 74). Other reported abnormalities in depression include TSH levels in the “normal” but high range, low T3 levels, elevated T4 levels, elevated reverse T3, a blunted TSH response to TRH, positive antithyroid antibodies, and elevated CSF TRH concentrations (69). Abnormalities in the HPT axis in depression have mostly been demonstrated in cross-sectional studies; data from larger longitudinal, prospective studies is scarce and provides inconsistent findings (75, 76). The existing literature suggests a link between subtle thyroid dysfunction and MDD, but more conclusive data is needed (77).

HPT axis-based treatments for MDD

T3, T4, TRH, and TSH have all been investigated as potential treatments for MDD. Aside from T3, hormones of the thyroid axis either appear to lack efficacy or have not been well-studied in MDD. T4 has been studied with promising results in bipolar disorder, particularly rapid cycling bipolar disorder. A number of small placebo-controlled studies have evaluated TRH administration by intravenous (IV) and oral routes, and the majority have not demonstrated efficacy for TRH in the treatment of depression (71). A 1970 study in women reported rapid augmentation of a tricyclic antidepressant response after IV administration of TSH compared to placebo (78), but no subsequent clinical trials have been reported.

Triiodothyronine (T3)

The bulk of evidence suggests that T3 has clinical utility in depression for two purposes: 1) to accelerate antidepressant response when used with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and 2) as an augmentation agent to treat depression in patients with insufficient response to antidepressant monotherapy.

Acceleration of Antidepressant Effect with Tricyclic Antidepressants

Research investigating this effect began with TCAs prior to the approval of the use of SSRIs, which occurred in the late 1980’s. T3 treatment initiated within five days of initiating TCA treatment produced a faster onset of antidepressant response compared to the TCA alone. Evidence for this accelerated response comes primarily from a meta-analysis of six double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (N=125) of T3 use with imipramine and amitriptyline (79). In the pooled analysis, T3 significantly accelerated the clinical response compared to placebo, with a moderate effect size (0.58). These trials were of short duration (less than 4 weeks), and the time to response was generally within 7–14 days in the T3 plus TCA treatment, compared to 21–28 days for the placebo plus TCA comparator. The typical dose of T3 used in these studies was 25 mcg/day. In three of the studies T3 was discontinued between 2–4 weeks but in all three studies subjects remained well after T3 discontinuation. Of note, the effect size for T3 accelerated response in the meta-analysis increased as the percentage of women participating in the study increased, suggesting that women may be more likely than men to benefit from the addition of T3, a finding which warrants further investigation.

Evidence from RCTs indicates that this acceleration of antidepressant response is not generalizable to all classes of antidepressants: T3 accelerates responses to TCAs but does not appear to have this effect with SSRIs. A meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled RCTs of subjects with MDD (N=444) found no evidence for a quicker response onset when T3 was used in combination with SSRIs (80). Reasons for the discrepancy between the effects of T3 with TCAs compared to SSRIs remain unknown.

Augmentation Strategy for Inadequate Response to Antidepressant Monotherapy

Evidence for T3 augmentation efficacy with TCAs comes from a meta-analysis of 8 controlled trials (N=292) in subjects with MDD that failed to experience remission with TCA treatment alone (81). Four of these studies followed a randomized double-blind design, whereas of the other four, three were unblinded studies with retrospective cohorts, and one study was a double-blind trial in which each patient served as his or her own control. Patients receiving T3 augmentation were twice as likely to respond to TCAs than those receiving placebo augmentation, with a 23% improvement in response rates. Improvements in depression scores were moderately large (effect size 0.62). However, across studies there was inconsistent evidence of efficacy, and study quality varied. Although the two larger double-blind RCTs (N=33 and 38) were robustly positive in favor of T3 augmentation, pooled results of the four double-blind RCTs were not significant (p=0.29). One negative RCT included in this analysis was particularly problematic because of a 2-week, cross-over design, and unequal baseline depression severity in the randomized groups. This may partly explain the negative pooled results for the four double-blind RCTs. Among these trials included in meta-analysis, only one of the trials established relative treatment resistance on the basis of antidepressant treatment duration of 6 weeks, which is now considered the minimal duration to determine lack of response. In addition to the controlled trials, additional support for the use of T3 as augmentation with TCAs comes from five positive open-label studies with reported response rates greater than 50% (71).

Notably, no placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of T3 augmentation with SSRIs/SNRIs in treatment-resistant depression. The only placebo-controlled trial to have examined this hypothesis was a small trial with treatment duration of 2 weeks that reported negative results (82). Support for this approach for patients with treatment-resistant depression comes primarily from level 3 of STAR*D, in which response to T3 augmentation (up to 50 mcg/day; N=73) was compared to lithium augmentation (up to 900 mg/day; N=69), or a new antidepressant monotherapy (mirtazapine or nortriptyline). All participants entering level 3 had not experienced remission of depression after at least two different medication treatments. These subjects did not respond with prospective citalopram treatment in level 1 and with medication switch (bupropion, sertraline, or venlafaxine) or medication augmentation (bupropion or buspirone) in level 2 (83). Remission rates were 25% with T3 augmentation and 16% with lithium augmentation after a mean treatment duration of about 10 weeks. This difference was not statistically significant. T3 had superior tolerability as lithium was more frequently associated with side effects and greater rates of discontinuation.

Efficacy of T3 augmentation in depression was also demonstrated in a network meta-analysis of 48 RCTs investigating efficacy of 11 different augmentation agents in treatment-resistant depression. These trials consisted of direct comparisons between the drugs as well as comparisons with placebo. Six trials of thyroid hormone augmentation (T3 or T4) were included. Odds of remission in treatment-resistant depression were three-fold greater with thyroid hormone augmentation compared to placebo, with comparable tolerability (84). Given the tremendous variability of the design of the T3 trials and their failure to establish treatment resistance, the results of the network analysis should be viewed cautiously..

A meta-analysis of 4 RCTs found no evidence that adding T3 to SSRIs enhanced the antidepressant effect of SSRI treatment in depressed patients who were not antidepressant treatment-resistant (80). While STAR*D suggests that T3 is beneficial as an augmentation agent with SSRIs in treatment-resistant depression, this benefit remains to be demonstrated in randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

T3 has been reported overall to be safe and tolerable. Although a small number of subjects in clinical trials have experienced side-effects such as sweating, tremor, nervousness, and palpitations, T3 administration has been well-tolerated without serious side-effects (85). Thyroid monitoring guidelines proposed by Rosenthal et al. for T3 augmentation recommend assessing TSH, free T4 and free T3 levels at baseline, at 3 months, and then every 6–12 months. Because hyperthyroidism can induce bone resorption leading to increased risk of fractures, in postmenopausal women monitoring bone density every 2 years is recommended with use of thyroid hormones (65).

Thyroxine (T4)

Limited evidence from small, open-label studies using T4 as an augmentation agent in MDD exists, but efficacy of T4 remains to be established in placebo-controlled RCTs (86). While T4 is understudied in unipolar depression, supraphysiological doses of T4 (250–500 mcg/day) have been investigated as maintenance treatment in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder as well as treatment-resistant bipolar depression with generally favorable results (87). Bauer and Whybrow were the first to conduct an open-label trial of adjunctive supraphysiological doses of T4 in 11 patients with treatment-refractory rapid cycling bipolar disorder, with improvement in both depressive and manic symptoms (88). This finding was replicated in additional open-label studies as well (87). Recently the first comparative double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of T4 and T3 as adjunctive treatments was conducted in 32 treatment-resistant rapidly cycling subjects (89). Subjects in the T4 group spent significantly less time in a depressed or mixed state, and greater time euthymic, while there were no significant differences with T3 and placebo (89).

Supraphysiologic doses of T4 have also been studied in open label trials as adjunctive therapy for treatment resistant bipolar depression with beneficial effects noted on depressive symptoms, with response rates around 50% (87). A 2014 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 300 mcg T4 as adjunctive to mood stabilizers and/or antidepressants in bipolar depression (N=62) showed improvements in depression but over-all results were not statistically significant due to a high placebo response rate (90). Significant improvement in depression compared to placebo, however, was noted in a secondary analysis of female subjects.

Overall, these studies show promising evidence for adjunctive use of supraphysiological doses of T4 in rapid cycling bipolar disorder (87), while more research is needed for use of T4 in acute bipolar depression.

HPT Axis Conclusion:

Evidence from RCTs with TCAs and from STAR*D suggests clinical benefits of T3 as an augmentation agent with antidepressants in MDD patients who have failed to respond to antidepressant monotherapy. This conclusion is consistent with practice guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of MDD from the American Psychiatric Association, Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments, and World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry, which recommend augmentation of antidepressants with thyroid hormones as a treatment option in cases where monotherapy has failed (9193). Clinicians also recommend using thyroid hormone supplementation in depressed patients that fail to respond, especially in patients with TSH levels in the high normal range (94). Future researchers should aim to demonstrate in placebo-controlled trials the efficacy of T3 as an augmentation agent with SSRIs in treatment-resistant depression. In addition to use as augmentation, evidence from multiple RCTs supports use of T3 for acceleration of antidepressant response with TCAs, with the important caveat that this acceleration of antidepressant response has not been observed in RCTs with SSRIs. Also, promising evidence supports adjunctive use of supraphysiological doses of T4 in rapid cycling bipolar disorder, and emerging evidence of T4 use in bipolar depression.

III. Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis: ovarian hormones

Overview of Physiology

In men and women, the major hypothalamic driver of the HPG axis is the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), released from neurons residing in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) (Figure 3A). In response to GnRH, the anterior pituitary releases lutenizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) into the bloodstream, stimulating the ovaries to produce estradiol (E2) and progesterone, and the testicles to produce testosterone (Figure 3B). As is common in endocrine systems, these hormones regulate axis activity via feedback inhibition, with E2, progesterone, and testosterone inhibiting HPG axis activity at both the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary(95). The function of these sex hormones is also subject to modulation by binding to albumin and more specific binding proteins, which control hormone access to tissues and receptors(96) In women, a complex feedback interplay regulates the approximately 28-day menstrual cycle (Figure 3C), characterized by (1) a follicular phase of approximately 14 days in which LH and FSH levels are relatively low and E2 steadily climbs, (2) a short ovulation phase triggered by a burst of GnRH release and rapid rise of LH, triggering the release of an ovarian follicle, and (3) a 14-day luteal phase in which LH and FSH return to relatively low levels and the corpus luteum of the ovary produces increased E2 and progesterone, stimulating proliferation of the endometrial lining. In the absence of pregnancy, E2 and progesterone fall near the end of the luteal phase, and menses proceeds. As discussed below, periods of significant hormonal change, including the monthly end of the luteal phase, and more specific endocrine events including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, are associated with mood changes and increased risk for affective disorders.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Figure 3

(A) Hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal (HPG) axis: The medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus (mPOA) releases gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) into the peripheral circulation. These factors stimulate the gonads to produce sex hormones, with the ovaries producing estradiol and progesterone, and the testes producing testosterone. (B) Steroid hormone synthesis: Cholesterol is the precursor molecule to sex hormones, which can undergo a variety of enzymatic transformations. (C) The menstrual cycle: The cycle begins at day 0 with the occurrence of of menses. Estradiol gradually climbs during the follicular phase (days 0 through 14 of a 28-day cycle). Ovulation is triggered by the spike in anterior pituitary production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). During the luteal phase (days 14 through 28), progesterone, and to a lesser extent, estradiol, rises. The production of both hormones then begins to fall toward the end of the luteal phase, a time of vulnerability for PMDD symptoms. In the absence of pregnancy, falling ovarian hormones levels lead to the the shedding of the uterine lining with menses, beginning the cycle again.

The actions of E2 are primarily mediated by two nuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, which modulate gene transcription by binding to estrogen response elements on DNA(97). There is also some evidence for fast-acting membrane-bound estrogen receptor signaling(98). ERs are expressed in the brain in males and females with largely similar distributions, though with higher receptor numbers in females(99). ERα is thought to primarily mediate reproductive functions due to its high expression in a number of hypothalamic nuclei(100). Preclinical gene knockout studies suggest that ERβ may regulate E2-mediated effects on HPA activity and mood, via its expression in the PVN and limbic system (100).

In addition to HPG axis regulation, progesterone also has important CNS effects. Like E2, progesterone acts both through the classic nuclear receptor (PR) signaling and also likely via fast-acting membrane-bound receptors(101). PRs are found in hypothalamus, hippocampus, cortex, and amygdala, and in general PR activation is thought to oppose the actions of E2(102). Progesterone has been largely considered neuroprotective, in part via PR-mediated stimulation of growth factors and activation of glial cells(101). Although a relatively large literature of animal studies and small clinical trials examine progesterone’s effects in the context of stroke and traumatic brain injury, two recent large RCTs showed no protective effects after brain injury (103, 104). Within psychiatry, there has been a greater focus on the actions of the progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone is a neuroactive steroid that acts as a positive allosteric modulator at synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA-A receptors. It has been implicated as a mediator of many of the central effects attributed to progesterone and is being actively investigated in clinical trials (see Ovarian Hormone Treatments for MDD, below).

Ovarian hormone abnormalities in Major Depressive Disorder:

Considerable clinical evidence demonstrates that fluctuations in ovarian hormones are associated with increased risk of depressive states. Women experience depression at nearly twice the rate of men, a difference that is apparent only during the reproductive years (105). Some women experience severe affective symptoms during the late luteal phase of their monthly cycle as progesterone and its metabolite, allopregnanolone, progressively rise, then rapidly fall (see Figure 3C), a syndrome termed premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)(106). An increased risk of mood symptoms and MDD occurs during other periods of ovarian hormone withdrawal, including the post-partum period and menopause. These findings are complemented by preclinical studies showing enhanced depressive-like behaviors during low-E2 times of the cycle(107), increased behavioral despair following ovariectomy that can be rescued with E2 administration (108), and the ability of E2 to enhance the release of monoamines (109).

However, the impact of ovarian hormones on mood is complex, as demonstrated in the literature on oral contraceptives (OCPs), which are commonly prescribed for pregnancy prevention or to normalize irregular menstrual cycles. OCPs have long been linked with the potential to alter mood, however there has been significant controversy over whether they worsen mood, improve mood, have more complex mood effects, or are mood-neutral. Two large prospective studies examining heath records of over 1 million Danish women over ten years showed that OCP use is associated with increased risk for subsequent antidepressant treatment, depression diagnosis, and suicidal acts, with significant risk for all hormone preparations (larger effects in progestin-only products, transdermal patches, and vaginal rings compared to combined oral preparations), as well as pronounced effects in the adolescent age group (110, 111). In contrast, a smaller cross-sectional study describes an increased risk of mood disorders with progestin-only OCPs but decreased risk of mood disorders when combined estrogen-progestin OCPs were compared to those taking no contraception(112). A systematic review of studies of progestin-only contraception, however, reported no consistent evidence of assocation with depressive symptoms across 26 studies, most of which were deemed by the authors as low-quality or at significant risk of bias (113). An RCT of 178 women from a community sample (<9% meeting criteria for a depressive disorder or on antidepressants) describes an even more nuanced picture, in which OCPs are associated with a worsening of mood symptoms in the inter-menstrual phase in a subset of subjects, but an improvement in mood during the premenstrual phase(114). Despite these changes in mood symptoms, there was no difference detected between OCPs and placebo in the emergence of clinical depression as assessed with the MADRS (114). The literature is further complicated by differences in dosing schedules (e.g. monophasic versus triphasic OCP preparations) and it has been suggested that regimens with more constant hormone distributions may carry less risks of adverse mood effects (115). The impact of OCPs may also depend on the endocrine context. For example, women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a disorder charactarized by polycystic ovaries, elevated androgen output, and irregular menstration, have higher rates of depression and anxiety(116), and OCPs are associated with an improvement in depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life(117). Taken together, these complicated data, which are limited by high inter-study variability of hormone preparation, dosing schedule, population studied, and mood measures, suggest that ovarian hormones can have significant impacts on mood but point to an intricate underlying biology that is sensitive to age, timing within the menstrual cycle, and administered hormone (estrogens versus progestins).

Ovarian hormone treatments for MDD

The ovarian hormone treatment literature is complicated by differences in study populations, with some trials examining affective symptoms in euthymic women who receive hormones for medical indications, and other trials that directly study hormone-based interventions in psychiatrically ill populations (generally women with MDD, post-partum depression (PPD), or PMDD). Many different ovarian hormone-based strategies have been evaluated for their effects on depressed mood. Treatment guidelines suggest that suppression of ovulation (118) via OCPs (with specific evidence for those containing the anti-androgenic progestin, drospirenone, with a 4-day pill-free interval (119, 120), and mixed evidence for other OCPs (121)) and GnRH agonists (e.g. leuprolide(122)) may be effective in the treatment of PMDD, however compared to SSRIs both treatments are considered second and third line, respectively (123). An interesting literature reports on the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in psychiatric disorders. SERMs (e.g. tamoxifen, raloxifene) act as estrogen receptor agonists in some tissues and antagonists in others, and they were hoped to provide some of the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy with reduced risks (e.g. endometrial and breast cancer risk). Their pharmacology, however, is complex and SERMs too carry signficant risks (e.g. while tamoxifen decreases ER-positive breast cancer risk due to ER antagonism, it carries a risk of uterine cancer due to endometrial ER agonism(124); raloxifene received an FDA black box warning for increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and death due to stroke in at-risk postmenopausal women). While the evidence for SERM use in the treatment of MDD is equivocal, evidence is developing for using SERMs as adjunctive treatments for mania (125) and psychosis (126) in women and men. These anti-manic and antipsychotic actions are thought to result from SERM inhibition of the protein kinase C second messenger cascade, and a number of active placebo-controlled clinical trials examine their use for acute mania and schizophrenia. Oxytocin, which is not an ovarian hormone per se, but is a neuropeptide that plays important roles in post-pregnancy bonding and social cognition more broadly, has also been studied in MDD. Although, preclinical work has suggested that oxytocin is a promising target, clinical trials have not yielded convincing results for the treatment of MDD or PPD, though it is still being actively studied in these disorders. Here we will focus in more depth on the use of estrogen-replacement therapy given its clinical relevance in current psychiatric practice, as well as the emerging study of the progesterone-derived neurosteroid, allopregnanolone, in PMDD, post-partum depression, and a variety of other psychiatric conditions.

(1). Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or Hormone replacement therapy (HRT = estrogen + progestin) in peri- or post-menopausal MDD

Hormone replacement therapy is FDA-approved to treat the vasomotor symptoms (“hot flashes”) and vulvovaginal atrophy associated with menopause. Women who have received a hysterectomy may take oral estrogen replacement therapy, whereas women with an intact uterus must take hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus a progestin) to mitigate endometrial cancer risk posed by unopposed estrogen. Clinical trials examining mood in peri- and postmenopausal women treated with hormone replacement have yielded mixed results for several reasons. One complicating factor is the difference in psychiatric symptomatology across studies, with the majority of studies assessing one or two mood symptoms in psychiatrically asymptomatic women (often excluding those with MDD), and a minority of studies examining effects in women meeting criteria for MDD or dysthymia(109). A second complicating factor is treatment timing in relationship to menopause onset. Perimenopause appears to be a distinct neuroendocrine state compared to post-menopause, with different ERT/HRT risks and benefits, depending on the timing of hormone administration. This differential risk was initially described for cardiovascular risk in the exhaustive analyses of the large Women’s Health Initiative study and in subsequent trials (127). In the Early versus Late Postmenopausal Treatment with Estradiol (ELITE) trial, a cardioprotective effect of ERT/HRT was observed in early menopausal women (<6 years after menopause), but a risk-enhancing effect was found in women >10 years after menopause(128). ERT/HRT timing is important not only for understanding general medical risks of treatment, but also appears to influence the efficacy of these treatments for depressive symptoms. Additional complicating factors are present in studies of perimenopausal women, including the spontaneous return of ovarian function (adding temporary, unpredictable endogenous sources of E2) and the co-occurring symptoms of menopause (e.g. hot flashes and sleep disturbance), which can have their own impact on mood and may be responsive to HRT(129).

Relatively few studies directly test ERT/HRT as an antidepressant monotherapy in peri- or post-menopausal women with MDD, comprising only 5 of the 24 trials assessing mood that were included in a recent meta-analysis (109). Of these five trials conducted in depressed, unmedicated women, two of the trials were considered to be at high risk of bias. Both potentially biased studies were conducted in younger post-menopausal women and included one positive trial (n=129) with high attrition rates (32% in the HRT group and 57% in the placebo group) (130), and one negative trial that had baseline differences in the presence of prior episodes of MDD (n=57, HRT did not separate from placebo, although both groups improved) (131). Of the three higher-quality studies in depressed women, two showed antidepressant efficacy of ERT (transdermal patches) compared to placebo in perimenopausal women (n=34(132) and n=50(133)). The third examined a mixed population of peri- and postmenopausal women and showed that increased E2 levels (spontaneously occurring or due to ERT) were associated with depression improvement in peri- (but not post) menopausal women (n=72), though both groups symptomatically improved compared to placebo (129)). ERT has also been evaluated as an adjunctive treatment to SSRIs. In a retrospective analysis of a multisite RCT of fluoxetine in participants with geriatric depression, women receiving ERT (not as a randomized intervention, N=72) showed greater improvement on fluoxetine than those who were not taking ERT (N= 295) (134). Small studies prospectively assessing ERT in conjunction with an antidepressant in post-menopausal women have either shown no effect (135) or an acceleration, but not augmentation effect (136); these studies warrant cautious interpretation given limitations of a high dropout rate (a third of the sample (135)) and baseline differences of age and depression severity between treatment groups (136). While the evidence base is relatively small, these studies suggest that ERT/HRT may have some antidepressant efficacy in peri-menopausal women, with less convincing data for post-menopausal depressed women.

Studies examining mood after ERT/HRT in women without psychiatric illness comprise nineteen of the twenty-four trials described in the recent meta-analysis(109). The overall grade of the evidence in this meta-analysis was a C (i.e. low-quality evidence), and in these nineteen trials evaluating mood in non-depressed women, there was little evidence of benefit, particularly in women without other physical symptoms of menopause(109). In contrast to the conclusion of this meta-analysis, two more recent trials have suggested some benefit or protective effects of ERT/HRT in these groups. The Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) followed 661 women in the community over four years who received (1) oral estrogen plus progesterone, (2) transdermal estrogen plus progesterone, or (3) placebo. Women with clinical depression, defined as a BDI score >28, were excluded, but women with mild to moderate mood symptoms that were being treated with an antidepressant were included. Improvements in depressive symptoms (effect size of 0.49) and anxiety (effect size of 0.26) were observed in the oral estrogen plus progesterone group compared to placebo over the course of four years of treatment, whereas the transdermal estrogen group did not separate from placebo(137). Another study of 172 euthymic peri- and post-menopausal women found that early transition menopausal (but not late transition or post-menopausal) women treated with 12 months of transdermal estrogen plus oral progesterone had lower risk of developing depressive symptoms(138). These benefits were moderated by the number of stressful life events encountered over the 6 months preceding, with greater anti-depressant effects in those women with the highest number of stressful life events(138).

Taken together, this complex literature suggests with some confidence that ERT/HRT interventions are most likely to be successful when implemented early in the transition to menopause. The most clear-cut indication for the use of HRT is for perimenopausal women experiencing depression who also are experiencing significant physical symptoms of menopause (e.g. hot flashes, vaginal dryness), for which time-limited HRT is already FDA-approved. The use of ERT/HRT in post or late menopausal women has little evidence for efficacy and is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events (as opposed to a protective cardiac risk profile in perimenopausal women)(127), and therefore should be avoided. The more ambiguous cases are those of perimenopausal women who are depressed but do not have FDA-approved symptoms for HRT (some evidence for antidepressant efficacy has been reported in this group(109)). Although some studies suggestg HRT is a preventive strategy for developing depression in perimenopausal women(138), more evidence is needed (139).

(2). Progesterone and its neurosteroid derivative, Allopregnanolone

Progesterone and its metabolite, allopregnanolone, have been implicated in hormone-related mood disorders, including PMDD and PPD, resulting in multiple clinical trials targeting this system. Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid that is converted from progesterone by α-reductase enzymes (Figure 3B). At physiologic concentrations allopregnanolone acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor, increasing conductance through synaptic and extra-synaptic GABA-A brain receptors with a potency similar to lorazepam (140). At high concentrations it can also directly activate GABA-A(141). Fluctuations in progesterone (e.g. the rapid decrease during the post-partum period, or the increase over the course of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle) are paralleled by changes in allopregnanalone levels, and have been implicated in in postpartum depression and PMDD(142). Pre-clinical studies have shown allopregnanalone to have significant anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties, as well as the ability to suppress HPA axis activity (reviewed in(142)). Because exogenously administered allopregnanalone has poor bioavailability, clinical trials have relied on allopregnanalone-like small molecules (e.g. brexanonlone, ganaxolone, sepranolone) delivered intravenously, or to a lesser extent, α-reductase enzyme modulators.

Treatment studies in PMDD have focused on preventing the increase in allopregnanolone that occurs during the mid-to-late luteal phase, when women are symptomatic. This approach (i.e. decreasing allopregnanolone) is somewhat counterintuitive given the preclinical data describing its antidepressant-like properties. However, preclinical data suggests allopregnanolone may paradoxically promote anxiety-like behavior in some contexts (e.g. adolescence), which may be related to changing subunit compositions of the GABA-A receptor(143). Women with PMDD have been hypothesized to possess a differential sensitivity to allopregnanolone, likened to subsets of patients in whom benzodiazepines can cause paradoxical agitation(144). Although the mechanism is not entirely clear, there has been some success in PMDD trials in which the actions of allopregnanolone are inhibited. A small crossover study (16 women with PMDD, 16 healthy controls) showed that the 5α-reductase inhibitor, dutasteride, which prevents the conversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone, decreased PMDD symptoms and had no mood effects in healthy controls(145). Dutasteride was well-tolerated, and while it prevented the luteal phase increase in plasma allopregnanolone, it did not significantly change luteal plasma progesterone levels. A second trial with 60 women with PMDD evaluated a novel compound, sepranolone (UC1010), which acts as a steroid antagonist at the GABA-A receptor. Women who received 5 daily subcutaneous injections of sepranolone exhibited significant improvement in PMDD symptoms compared to women who received placebo, and the medication was well-tolerated(146).

In contrast to PMDD, strategies for the treatment of PPD have focused on augmenting allopregnanolone signaling to stabilize the reduction in this neurosteroid that occurs in the postpartum period. There is considerable excitement about the recent success of brexanolone (SAGE-547), an intravenous stabilized form of allopregnanolone, which was recently FDA-approved for the treatment of PPD (trade name: Zulresso). A small open-label pilot study (147), a small placebo-controlled RCT (n=10–11 per group) (148), followed by two larger multisite trials (combined 246 patients) showed that a 60-hour infusion of brexanolone, targeting the range of third trimester allopregnanolone levels, resulted in significant reductions in depressive symptoms in women with severe post-partum depression(149). Remission was rapid with separation from placebo evident by 24 hours, and the effect of this single treatment was sustained up to 30 days, the longest timepoint assessed. As the current first-line treatments for postpartum depression are SSRIs, which can take several weeks to be effective, the rapid anti-depressant effects of brexanolone may provide symptom stabalization during the critical early phases of the post-partum period. Limitations to intravenous brexanolone include side effects of dizziness, syncope, and sedation, which necessitate administration in an inpatient, supervised setting for the full 60-hour infusion.

Neurosteroids are also being evaluated in men and women with other neuropsychiatric disorders, including treatment resistant MDD, bipolar depression(150), the negative symptoms of schizophrenia(151), PTSD(152), and epilepsy(153). Thus, neurosteroids represent an active area of drug development for psychiatry, with promising data for disorders associated with clear hormonal underpinnings (e.g. PMDD and PPD), and a less established, but growing, evidence base for other psychiatric disorders.

Ovarian Hormone Treatment Conclusions

Taken together, ovarian hormones have provided the basis for several treatments, some of which are in active clinical use, and others that are promising but require more evidence. The use of time-limited ERT/HRT (<5 years) is reasonable in perimenopausal women with physical symptoms of menopausal (vasomotor, vaginal dryness) in addition to depression. A trial of ERT/HRT, either alone or in conjunction with an SSRI, may also be reasonable in perimenopausal women with depression who do not have significant physical symptoms. It is not currently recommended to prescribe ERT/HRT in euthymic perimenopausal women for depression prophylaxis, though there is some data to support a positive impact on mood in this population. For PMDD, the first line treatment remains SSRIs, but OCPs are a reasonable second-line treatment. There is strong positive data for GnRH agonists (e.g. leuprolide), which act by suppressing the HPG axis, though they should be considered only after the patient has failed other treatments, including psychotherapy. Neuroactive steroids, namely manipulation of the allopregnanolone system, present an active, exciting area of new treatment development, which includes both inhibition of the system for the treatment of PMDD and augmentation of allopregnanolone for treating PPD. Intravenous brexanolone, recently FDA-approved for PPD, presents an exciting treatment opportunity for severe peripartum depression due to its rapidity of action. Finally, SERMs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, and allopregnanolone derivatives are being investigated in men and women for a variety of disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. While these treatments are not suitable for routine clinical use, the field is moving rapidly, and in the near future there will likely be a better evidence base for clinical decision making in relation to their use.

IV. Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis: testicular hormones

Overview of Physiology

In men, as in women, hypothalamic GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH, although the targets of these gonadotrophins are sex-specific (Figure 3A). In males, LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone, and FSH acts on Sertoli cells to stimulate sperm production. In addition to the gonads and adrenals, active biosynthesis of testosterone occurs in the brain. This can be de novo synthesis from cholesterol or conversion from dehydroepiandrosterone or progesterone (Figure 3B) (154). Testosterone binds to androgen receptors, which, like estrogen receptors, have both nuclear actions to regulate gene expression, and also rapid, second-messenger dependent membrane signaling (154). 1%–4% of testosterone circulates in the free, unbound form, 33% to 54% of testosterone circulates bound with low affinity to serum albumin, and the remainder is primarily bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (155). Both unbound and albumin-bound testosterone are considered biologically active (155). Serum total testosterone levels less than 270 ng/dl are considered low, while values between 270–300 ng/dl may or may not be considered low depending on the laboratory.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester DHEA-S, are among the most abundant steroid hormones in the human body. They are produced in adrenal cortex and the gonads, as well as the brain, suggesting important functions as a neurosteroid, although these functions are poorly understood (156). In addition, DHEA can serve as a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. DHEA is known to have anti-glucocorticoid and anti-inflammatory effects and has also been implicated in neuroprotection and catecholamine synthesis (156).

Testicular HPG axis abnormalities in MDD:

Depressive symptoms are common in male subjects with clinical hypogonadism, and a number of studies suggest an association of lower testosterone levels with depressive symptoms in men (157). Men with major depressive disorder have lower total and free testosterone levels than non-depressed controls in both old and middle age subjects (158, 159). Depressive symptoms are common in men referred with borderline testosterone levels (160), and middle-aged non-depressed men in the community with low testosterone levels have a higher likelihood of developing depression (161). Prevalence of categorically low testosterone levels in MDD or treatment-resistant MDD has not yet been studied systematically in the general outpatient psychiatric population (157). At this time there is no strong evidence supporting routine screening for low testosterone levels in depressed men in the absence of other clinical signs of hypogonadism (157, 162).

HPG axis-based treatments for MDD

The interpretation of clinical trials assessing the efficacy of testosterone in the treatment of depression is complicated due to the heterogeneity of patient populations in regard to: 1) presence or absence of testosterone deficiency syndrome (unequivocally low testosterone levels in the presence of symptoms such as low libido, erectile dysfunction, lethargy, etc.), 2) testosterone level range: normal versus low or borderline-low levels, 3) major depression versus subthreshold depressive symptoms or dysthymia, 4) presence of antidepressant treatment-resistance, and 5) HIV status.

Three meta-analyses have been conducted investigating testosterone efficacy for depressive symptoms, and all three have reported a significant positive effect compared to placebo (163165). The largest of these meta-analyses (164) included 27 RCTs in which testosterone treatment was utilized and depressive symptoms were monitored using a validated scale. Testosterone treatment was associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to placebo, however, the effect size was small with a Hedges g of 0.21 (95% CI, 0.10–0.32). Only 8 of these RCTs included subjects with a diagnosed depressive disorder. The remainder included populations such as healthy men, older men, AIDS wasting syndrome, and cognitive disorders. While these meta-analyses indicate that testosterone appears to have a small antidepressant effect, their validity is questionable given the heterogeneous patient populations and study designs. These meta-analyses pooled subjects treated with differing interventions (testosterone or DHEA), subjects with differing depressive diagnoses (MDD, dysthymia, subthreshold depressive symptoms, and no depression diagnosis), subjects with variable severity of depressive symptoms, subjects with variable levels of serum testosterone, subjects with and without symptoms of testosterone deficiency, and subjects with comorbid medical disorders such as HIV, Alzheimer’s disease, and metabolic syndrome. Given this heterogeneity, the over-all positive results of these meta-analyses do not provide strong support for the use of testosterone in depressive disorders in general. Evidence for efficacy must be established separately for different patient populations.

There is evidence to suggest that testosterone replacement therapy improves depressive symptoms in subjects with testosterone deficiency syndrome. For example, in an 8-month prospective, placebo-controlled trial involving 106 men with testosterone deficiency syndrome and moderate severity depression, testosterone replacement monotherapy was associated with significant improvement in depression scores compared to placebo (166). A meta-analysis of 87 RCTs of testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men reported that testosterone replacement therapy improved depressive symptoms significantly with a standardized mean difference of −0.23 (95% CI −0.44 to −0.01) (167).

However, in the absence of clinical hypogonadism, testosterone is not indicated for the treatment of major depression. Five randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials utilizing testosterone as a treatment for depression in men with MDD have been conducted (168172) (Studies summarized in Supplementary table 2). A small 8-week pilot study of treatment-resistant MDD subjects was robustly positive in favor of testosterone (170), but four subsequent RCTs in the treatment of MDD have all been negative, including the largest trial with 100 subjects (168, 169, 171, 172). These latter trials were mostly conducted in men with low or borderline low testosterone levels (levels of 350 ng/dl or less), using testosterone as an adjunct to antidepressants in treatment-resistant MDD. The duration of the testosterone trials ranged from 6–12 weeks. Taken together, the results from these trials argue against testosterone’s efficacy as an augmentation agent in treatment-resistant MDD.

Although results in major depression have been disappointing, two small RCTs of testosterone monotherapy conducted in subjects with subthreshold depression (dysthymia or minor depression) have reported significant and robust improvement in depression. One of these trials was conducted in men with mid-life onset dysthymic disorder (N=23) with low/low-normal testosterone levels (173) and the other was conducted in men with dysthymia or minor depression (N=33) with low testosterone levels (174). The results are far from conclusive, but suggest that testosterone may be an effective treatment for non-major depressive symptoms.

Testosterone has also been investigated as a treatment for depressive symptoms in subjects with HIV and AIDS. Testosterone deficiency is a common endocrine abnormality associated with HIV infection in men, and testosterone levels decline as the illness advances. Preliminary studies suggested that testosterone may be beneficial for depression in these patients (175) (176), however, a subsequent larger RCT (N=123) comparing testosterone, fluoxetine and placebo in HIV-positive patients with depressive disorders reported no significant differences in mood improvement among the three groups (177).

In addition to potential clinical benefits, it should also be taken into account that use of testosterone therapy, especially long-term use, can increase the risk of prostate cancer, polycythemia, and venous thromboembolism.(178) Breast cancer, polycythemia, prostate cancer, and elevated serum prostate-specific antigen are considered absolute contraindications to testosterone therapy.(178)

DHEA has been studied as an antidepressant treatment and has shown efficacy in two small RCTs. In contrast to testosterone trials, which were conducted only in men, these trials included male and female subjects. One trial was restricted to subjects with major depression (179), while the other trial had subjects with mid-life onset major and minor depression (180). In addition, in one placebo-controlled trial DHEA has shown efficacy for treatment of non-major depression in HIV+ patients (181).

In conclusion, preliminary evidence suggests that testosterone improves depressive symptoms in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome. Small trials subject to effect size inflation have suggested possible efficacy in men with non-major depression (dysthymia and subthreshold depressive symptoms) with low/low-normal testosterone levels. However, the bulk of evidence suggests that testosterone does not have efficacy in treatment-resistant major depression as an adjunct to antidepressants, and its routine use would not be clinically appropriate. Conclusive evidence is lacking regarding testosterone’s antidepressant efficacy in HIV positive subjects. In addition to testosterone, there is also preliminary evidence of DHEA’s efficacy in midlife major and minor depression.

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

A long history of clinical experience and preclinical investigation has implicated three major endocrine systems (HPA, HPT, and HPG axes) in the pathophysiology of mood disturbances and MDD. Since the late 1960’s, these observations have prompted clinical trials testing hormones, peptides, and small molecules that target these systems in an effort to produce novel antidepressants. Although this has resulted in some successes, there have also been a significant number of disappointments and failures to replicate early successes in larger cohorts, e.g. CRFR1 antagonists. Some of these difficulties may relate to the heterogeneous nature of depression and the likely existence of subtypes within the larger clinical construct of MDD. Indeed, older schemas of depression subtypes (e.g. melancholic or psychotic) have been somewhat helpful in identifying populations enriched for HPA axis abnormalities, and the search for more modern ways of subdividing patients (e.g. according to Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) criteria versus traditional clinical diagnoses, SNPs, inflammatory markers, neuroimaging biotypes, etc.) is an active area of study. Future studies might use features of endocrine alterations to specifically enrich study populations, moving in the direction of personalized medicine. Other special considerations when evaluating these treatments include age and sex. While sex may be an obvious selection criterion for sex-specific disorders (e.g. PDD or PMDD), sex may also influence other hormonal systems and their sensitivity to manipulation. For example, there is some data to suggest that thyroid based interventions, such as T3 acceleration of TCAs, have greater effects in females, though this hypothesis has not yet been directly tested. Finally, endocrine status is an important factor to consider in patient selection, for example, whether the patient has a primary endocrine syndrome that includes depressed mood, a subclinical endocrine abnormality in the setting of depressed mood, or has MDD without primary endocrine disturbances. Depressive symptoms frequently occur as part of a syndromal hormonal alteration, such as Addison’s disease, Cushing syndrome, hypothyroidism, and hypogonadism. When the primary endocrine disturbance is correct, affective and cognitive symptoms frequently normalize along with the other signs and symptoms of the syndrome. When depressive symptoms co-exist with subclinical alterations in hormonal axes, in general it is unclear whether the depressive symptoms are caused by the subclinical alterations or are independently present. It is also important to recognize that hormonal treatments for MDD can be effective in the absence of any apparent endocrine abnormality, and most of the trials reviewed here have utilized high pharmacological doses (instead of low physiologic replacement doses) in individuals without apparent endocrine deficiencies. Antidepressant mechanisms of hormonal treatments are not solely related to their actions on “classical” endocrine axes. Hormones receptors are distributed throughout the CNS, often within brain circuitry related to emotion and cognition, and the actions of hormones here are likely independent of their traditionally described endocrine roles.

Despite the inconsistency and lack of convincing evidence for some treatments, we identify some actionable clinical conclusions (Table 1), as well as exciting research avenues. Relatively well-established interventions, outside of correcting obvious endocrine syndromes, include: (1) use of T3 with TCAs for acceleration and augmentation, and use of T3 with SSRIs in treatment resistant depression for augmentation, (2) ERT/HRT in perimenopausal or early postmenopausal women who are also experiencing physical complaints related to menopause (e.g. hot flashes, vulvovaginal atrophy), and (3) oral contraceptives as second line therapy after SSRIs in PMDD. Rapidly developing areas of highly promising research include (1) mifepristone for the treatment of MDD with psychotic features, (2) progesterone-derived neurosteroid modulation to (a) decrease or stabilize allopregnanolone to treat PMDD, and (b) enhance allopregnanolone signaling in PPD, particularly as a rapid-acting option when waiting for an SSRI to take effect. Given the evidence, we believe that several of the strategies discussed could be useful for patients who have failed to respond to first-line treatments. However, it is important to underscore that while potentially useful, these medications (with the exception of intravenous brexanalone for PPD) do not have FDA-approved indications for MDD. Over the next several years the field will have a better sense of whether these exciting preliminary findings can be replicated in larger samples and applied to clinical practice.

Supplementary Material

supplement

Acknowledgments:

Dr. Dwyer was supported by T32 MH018268 during the preparation of this manuscript.

Dr. Widge’s effort on this project was supported in part by funds from the National Institutes of Health (R21 MH113101, UH3 NS100548, R01 MH119384), OneMind Institute, MnDRIVE Brain Conditions initiative, and University of Minnesota Medical Discovery Team on Additions.

Disclosures:

Dr. Dwyer reports consulting income from Axsome Therapeutics.

Dr. Aftab reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Dr. Widge reports consulting income from Medtronic and Circuit Therapeutics, speaker fees from Medtronic and Livanova, and research device donations from Medtronic. He has multiple patent applications in the areas of brain stimulation and biomarkers of cognitive dysfunction.

Dr. Rodriguez reports research grants and support from the National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Mental Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, and Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, has served as a consultant for Allergan, BlackThorn Therapeutics, Rugen, and Epiodyne, and serves as a Deputy Editor for the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Dr. Carpenter reports consulting income from Magstim, Janssen, and Nexstim; Research support from Neosync, Neuronetics, Nexstim, and Feelmore Labs.

Dr. Nemeroff reports grants and support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He has served as a consultant within the last three years for Xhale, Takeda, Taisho Pharmaceutical Inc., Bracket (Clintara), Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Janssen Research & Development LLC, Magstim, Inc., Navitor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., TC MSO, Inc., Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc., EMA Wellness, Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Acadia Pharmaceuticals. He is a stockholder in Xhale, Celgene, Seattle Genetics, Abbvie, OPKO Health, Inc., Antares, BI Gen Holdings, Inc., Corcept Therapeutics Pharmaceuticals Company, TC MSO, Inc., Trends in Pharma Development, LLC, and EMA Wellness. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), Xhale, Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), Skyland Trail, Bracket (Clintara), and Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR), Inc. He serves on the board of directors of AFSP, Gratitude America, ADAA, Xhale Smart, Inc. Additional income sources or equity of $10,000 or more include American Psychiatric Publishing, Xhale, Bracket (Clintara), CME Outfitters, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc., Magstim, and EMA Wellness. Dr Nemeroff holds patents for Method and devices for transdermal delivery of lithium (US 6,375,990B1), Method of assessing antidepressant drug therapy via transport inhibition of monoamine neurotransmitters by ex vivo assay (US 7,148,027B2), Compounds, Compositions, Methods of Synthesis, and Methods of Treatment (CRF Receptor Binding Ligand) (US 8,551, 996 B2)

Dr. Kalin reports research support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institutes of Mental Health. He has served as a consultant for American Psychiatric Association, Editorial Services for The American Journal of Psychiatry, CME Outfitters, LLC, Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Consortium, Skyland Trail Advisory Board, and TC MSO, Inc, parent company of Actify Neurotherapies. He is a shareholder in Seattle Genetics, Inc.

Footnotes

The findings, opinions, and conclusions of this report do not necessarily represent the views of the officers, trustees, or all members of the American Psychiatric Association. The views expressed are those of the authors of the manuscript.

Contributor Information

Jennifer B. Dwyer, Child Study Center and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, Conn..

Awais Aftab, Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, and Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, Northfield, Ohio.

Rajiv Radhakrishnan, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

Alik Widge, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Carolyn I. Rodriguez, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., and VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, Calif.

Linda L. Carpenter, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Butler Hospital, Brown University, Providence, R.I.

Charles B. Nemeroff, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin

William M. McDonald, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta

Ned H. Kalin, Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison

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