APFCC+-+Leuchter+and+Witte


 * Theorist ** : Leuchter and Witte
 * Study ** **of**: Depression Drug Therapy compared with a Placebo
 * Year ** : 2002

Leuchter and Witte found depression patients improved regardless of whether they were given a placebo or a SSRI. They scanned their brains and found different activity.
 * Summary: **

To examine brain function in depressed subjects receiving either active medication or placebo and whether brain imaging could detect differences in brain function between the medication and placebo.
 * Aim: **

They used 51 patients with major depression, randomly assigned in to conditions in independent double blind studies in which half were given an SSRI and the other were given a placebo substance. The study ran for 9 weeks. QEEG was used to map brain function through the study.
 * Procedures: **

They found that the placebo group showed increased activity in the prefrontal lobe, while the SSRI group had decreased activity. For the drug group these changes occurred in the first 48 hours, while they took longer to eventuate in the placebo group. In relation to effectiveness, no significant differences were found between the placebo and drug groups, 38% and 52% respectively.
 * Findings: **

These findings suggest that “effective” placebo treatment induces changes in brain function that are different from those associated with antidepressant medication. However both are effective. This indicates that there are other ways to help people suffering from depression.
 * Conclusions: **

Positives: Double Blind method Randomly assigned groups Ethically used deception, - patients were monitored and were removed if depression increased. Established baseline data.
 * Criticisms: **

Mentioned on page 173 - Crane and Hannibal Full Study Found here: []
 * Resources: **