Quetiapine in the Treatment of Psychotic Depression - a Pilot Study

Inclusion Criteria: * provision of written informed consent * diagnosis of depression with psychotic features by DSM-IV (296.23, 296.33) * females and males aged 18 to 65 years * female patients of childbearing potential must be using a reliable method of contraception and have a negative pregnancy test at enrollment * patients must be able to understand and comply with the requirements of the study * MADRS score above 20 points Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy or lactation * any DSM-IV Axis I disorder not defined in the inclusion criteria or not in full remission * patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an imminent risk of suicide or a danger to self or others * known intolerance or lack of response to quetiapine, as judged by the investigator * use of any cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in the 14 days preceding enrollment * use of any cytochrome P450 inducers in the 14 days preceding enrollment * thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration more than 10% above the upper limit of the normal range at enrollment * administration of a depot antipsychotic injection within one dosing interval before randomisation * substance or alcohol dependence at enrollment, as defined by DSM-IV * opiates, amphetamine, barbiturate, cocaine, cannabis, or hallucinogen abuse by DSM-IV criteria within 4 weeks prior to enrollment * medical conditions that would affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of study treatment * risk of transmitting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B via blood or other body fluids * unstable or inadequately treated medical illness, as judged by the investigator * patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) * an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \< 1.5x10E9 per liter * history of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension, or condition that would predispose to * ECG considered to show clinically significant abnormalities at enrollment as determined by a cardiologist * involvement in the planning and conduct of the study * previous enrollment or randomisation of treatment in the present study * any serious and unstable somatic illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, would be negatively affects by the study medication * participation in another drug trial within 4 weeks prior to enrollment into this study * patients with unsufficient knowledge of the German language