Converging lines of evidence suggest that the glutamatergic system may play an increasingly important role in the development of novel
therapeutics for
major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly agents associated with rapid
antidepressant effects. Diverse glutamatergic modulators targeting
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors have shown efficacy in MDD, but their associated psychotomimetic effects presently preclude their use in larger samples. This small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study evaluated the potential
antidepressant efficacy and tolerability of an oral formulation of the selective
N-methyl-D-aspartate NR2B antagonist
MK-0657 in patients with treatment-resistant MDD (TRD). The TRD subjects underwent a 1-week
drug-free period and were subsequently randomized to receive either
MK-0657 monotherapy (4-8 mg/d) or placebo for 12 days. Because of recruitment challenges and the discontinuation of the compound's development by the manufacturer, only 5 of the planned 21 patients completed both periods of the crossover administration of
MK-0657 and placebo. Significant
antidepressant effects were observed as early as day 5 in patients receiving
MK-0657 compared with those receiving placebo, as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Beck Depression Inventory; however, no improvement was noted when symptoms were assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the primary efficacy measure. No serious or dissociative adverse effects were observed in patients receiving this oral formulation of
MK-0657. Despite the small sample size, this pilot study suggests that an oral formulation of the NR2B antagonist
MK-0657 may have
antidepressant properties in TRD patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these preliminary findings.