Pharmacogenomics Studies of Antidepressants

The purpose of this study is to establish the clinical effectiveness of antidepressants by pharmacogenomic approach, and to determine the levels of inflammatory factors between the baseline and the end point of the study in Taiwanese major depressive disorder (MDD) patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 16-65 years old
• Signed informed consent by patient or legal representative
• Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) scores ≥ 16
• A diagnosis of MDD according to DSM-IV criteria made by a specialist in psychiatry

Exclusion Criteria:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitor or antidepressant treatment within two weeks prior to entering the study
• A DSM-IV diagnosis of substance abuse within the past three months
• An organic mental disease, mental retardation or dementia
• A serious surgical condition or physical illness
• Patients who were pregnant or breastfeeding