An experimental drug, called CP-316, 311 and made by Pfizer, was as effective as placebo (a sugar pill) in its initial clinical trials. At the interim analysis to determine efficacy, the researchers found the drug not to be working to help people with depression, and so the trial was terminated. CP-316, 311 is a selective nonpeptide antagonist of corticotropin-releasing hormone type 1 (CRH1) receptors.

Hormone receptors? you might ask. Well, it turns out that the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) system has been implicated as a possible contributing factor (or, perhaps, cause) of several psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder. Back to the drawing board for Pfizer.

Reference:

Binneman, B., Feltner, D., Kolluri, S., Shi, Y., Qiu, R. & Stiger, T. (2008). A 6-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of CP-316,311 (a Selective CRH1 Antagonist) in the Treatment of Major Depression. Am J Psychiatry, 10, 1176.

Dr. John Grohol is the CEO and founder of Psych Central. He is an author, researcher and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about online behavior, mental health and psychology issues -- as well as the intersection of technology and human behavior -- since 1992. Dr. Grohol sits on the editorial board of the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking and is a founding board member and treasurer of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 16 Apr 2008
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.