Introduction ‐ S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAMe) is a naturally‐occurring substance which is a major source of methyl groups in the brain. Material and methods ‐ We conducted a meta‐analysis of the studies on SAMe to assess the efficacy of this compound in the treatment of depression compared with placebo and standard tricyclic antidepressants. Results ‐ Our meta‐analysis showed a greater response rate with SAMe when compared with placebo, with a global effect size ranging from 17% to 38% depending on the definition of response, and an antidepressant effect comparable with that of standard tricyclic antidepressants. Conclusion ‐ The efficacy of SAMein treating depressive syndromes and disorders is superior with that of placebo and comparable to that of standard tricyclic antidepressants. Since SAMe is a naturally occurring compound with relatively few side‐effects, it is a potentially important treatment for depression.

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This study was designed to investigate the effects of butyltins on yeast phagoeytosis in vitro by haemocytes of the colonial ascidian Botryllus schlossen'. This species has been reported to be very sensitive to organotins. Results show that, in analogy to reports on mammalian leukocyte reactivity, butyltins exert inhibitory effects on phagocytosis in a concentration-dependent manner, mainly by influencing cellular calcium homeostasis by interacting with the calcium pump. As the immunosuppressant activity of organotins described in mammals and teleosteans also occurs in an invertebrate marine species, the latter may assume a role as a sensitive biosensor of butyltins as immunotoxins in aqueous ecosystems.

Previous studies suggested a therapeutic action of the selective serotonin 5-HT2-antagonist ritanserin on negative symptoms of schizophrenia and on neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. In this open trial the effect of risperidone, a combined serotonin-5-HT2-and dopamine-D,-antagonist, was studied on a sample of 31 schizophrenic outpatients with an unsatisfactory response to conventional neuroleptic treatment, predominance of negative symptoms, together with troublesome extrapyramidal side-effects. After 28 days of oral treatment (2-6 mg daily) the patients showed a significant improvement as measured by means of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. It is possible that the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist properties of risperidone may improve negative symptoms. In addition, confirming previous studies, extrapyramidal symptoms showed a reduced incidence compared to previous neuroleptic treatment, suggesting a serotonin4opamine interaction in the basal ganglia. No electrocardiographic, cardiovascular or laboratory abnormalities were observed.

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