5-HTP and creatine to help depression in people on antidepressants
Official title: 31P-MRS and resting state functional connectivity analysis of the effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan and creatine for antidepressant augmentation in patients with SSRI/SNRI-resistant major depressive diso
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11468140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to test if adding 5-HTP, creatine, or both can improve brain signals and mood in adults already taking antidepressants who have hard-to-treat depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $228,525 |
| NIH project number | 3R33AT010636-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with major depressive disorder who are already taking antidepressants and have treatment-resistant symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
People not taking antidepressants or without treatment-resistant depression may not benefit from this specific augmentation strategy.
What this research studies
This project plans a three-arm clinical trial to see if supplements 5-HTP and/or creatine can positively change brain biomarkers linked to depression. Researchers will use advanced brain imaging to measure frontal brain energy and functional connections, plus blood serotonin levels, to see if the supplements help when someone is already on antidepressants. The work is structured in two phases: first to develop and refine the study methods, then to run the main trial, targeting people living with depression potentially linked to hypoxia, such as those in higher altitude or with asthma. If successful, the findings could point to a new, accessible approach to augmenting antidepressant therapy. The project also explores how altitude-related biology might influence treatment response and recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new, non-prescription adjunct to antidepressants to improve brain function and mood.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies have shown that brain energy and serotonin pathways are linked to depression, but this exact three-arm supplement approach is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kious, Brent Michael — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Kious, Brent Michael
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.