J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1996; 8:168-171
Copyright © 1996 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Sustained antidepressant effect of PEA replacement
H Sabelli, P Fink, J Fawcett and C Tom
Rush University and the Center for Creative Development, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Phenylethylamine (PEA), an endogenous neuroamine, increases attention and
activity in animals and has been shown to relieve depression in 60% of
depressed patients. It has been proposed that PEA deficit may be the cause
of a common form of depressive illness. Fourteen patients with major
depressive episodes that responded to PEA treatment (10-60 mg orally per
day, with 10 mg/day selegiline to prevent rapid PEA destruction) were
reexamined 20 to 50 weeks later. The antidepressant response had been
maintained in 12 patients. Effective dosage did not change with time. There
were no apparent side effects. PEA produces sustained relief of depression
in a significant number of patients, including some unresponsive to the
standard treatments. PEA improves mood as rapidly as amphetamine but does
not produce tolerance.
