Add-on phospholipid liposomes in a postmenopausal depressive episode of a patient with major depressive disorder

During perimenopause, the risk of developing depressive episodes, even of a severe nature, increases. The possibility of one or more depressive episodes occurring during perimenopause is greater than during the premenopausal period, particularly in patients with mood disorders. Women with a postmenopausal major depressive episode showed a better response to antidepressant therapy when given in combination with hormone replacement therapy. This can be explained by the neurophysiopathological correlates of menopausal depression, which may also improve with the administration of liposomes. Phospholipid liposomes added to standard antidepressant drug treatment have proven to be effective on anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms and menopausal syndrome. We describe the case of a 51-year-old woman diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), suffering from a postmenopausal depressive episode, who showed symptom remission after one month of therapy with phospholipid liposomes at a daily dose of 56 mg (2 vials per day), added to standard antidepressant therapy. She showed improvement to remission of depressive symptoms, mainly including insomnia, depressed mood, anxiety and agitation, and a reduction of vasomotor symptoms. In addition to an improvement in depressive symptoms, phospholipid liposomes added to standard antidepressant treatment may reduce different psychiatric and vasomotor symptoms that occur in menopause in patients with MDD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of phospholipid liposomes in the treatment of menopausal depression and confirm the existing evidence, also considering the possibilities of personalized treatments.