5-HTP and Creatine for Depression R33 Phase
This is a three-armed clinical trial examining the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan and creatine monohydrate as augmenting agents for the treatment of depression. Subjects will be randomized between 5-HTP 100mg BID + creatine 5g daily, 5-HTP 200mg BID + creatine 10g daily, vs double placebo, for 8 weeks. The ability of the interventions to affect biomarkers associated with depression will be assessed using brain phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional connectivity imaging, and plasma serotonin levels.
Conditions studied
Major Depressive Disorder
About this study
This is a three-armed clinical trial examining the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan and creatine monohydrate as augmenting agents for the treatment of depression. Subjects will be randomized between 5-HTP 100mg BID + creatine 5g daily, 5-HTP 200mg BID + creatine 10g daily, vs double placebo, for 8 weeks. The ability of the interventions to affect biomarkers associated with depression will be assessed using brain phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional connectivity imaging, and plasma serotonin levels.
Interventions
- Drug: Low Dose 5-hydroxytryptophan — 5-hydroxytryptophan 100mg PO BID
- Drug: High Dose 5-hydroxytryptophan — 5-hydroxytryptophan 200mg PO BID
- Drug: Low Dose Creatine Monohydrate — Creatine monohydrate 5g PO qday
- Drug: High Dose Creatine Monohydrate — Creatine monohydrate 10g PO qday
- Drug: Placebo — Creatine-matched placebo and 5-HTP-matched placebo; Placebo will be dextrose either encapsulated (5-HTP matched) or as loose powder (creatine matched)
Primary outcomes
- 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (8 weeks)
Eligibility information
Study locations
- University of Utah Department of Psychiatry, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 United States
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.