TADS
Also written as: TADS — Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study
Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study, a landmark clinical trial that established evidence-based treatment guidelines for adolescent depression.
Full Definition
The Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS) was a major randomized controlled trial conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health that compared the effectiveness and safety of various treatments for adolescent major depressive disorder. The study examined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), fluoxetine medication, combination treatment, and placebo across multiple sites. TADS findings demonstrated that combination treatment (CBT plus fluoxetine) was most effective, while also revealing important safety considerations regarding antidepressant use in adolescents. The study's results significantly influenced clinical practice guidelines and FDA warnings about antidepressant prescribing in youth.
Usage
Usage note: Reference as a foundational study when discussing evidence-based depression treatment in adolescents.
In Context
- "The treatment protocol is based on TADS findings supporting combination therapy for moderate to severe adolescent depression." — clinical guideline document
- "TADS demonstrated the importance of close monitoring during the initial weeks of antidepressant treatment in teens." — medication safety protocol