BACKGROUND: Preclinical and clinical evidence indicate that the glutamatergic system might play a role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of riluzole, a glutamate-modulating agent, in bipolar depression. METHODS: This was an 8-week add-on study of riluzole in combination with lithium in acutely depressed bipolar patients aged 18 years and older. After open treatment with lithium for a minimum period of 4 weeks, subjects who continued to have a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of >/=20 received riluzole (50-200 mg/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Fourteen bipolar depressed patients entered the study. The linear mixed models for total MADRS score showed a significant treatment effect. No switch into hypomania or mania was observed. Overall, riluzole was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, these results suggest that riluzole might indeed have antidepressant efficacy in subjects with bipolar depression.
BACKGROUND: Preclinical and clinical evidence indicate that the glutamatergic system might play a role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of riluzole, a glutamate-modulating agent, in bipolar depression. METHODS: This was an 8-week add-on study of riluzole in combination with lithium in acutely depressed bipolarpatients aged 18 years and older. After open treatment with lithium for a minimum period of 4 weeks, subjects who continued to have a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of >/=20 received riluzole (50-200 mg/day) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Fourteen bipolar depressedpatients entered the study. The linear mixed models for total MADRS score showed a significant treatment effect. No switch into hypomania or mania was observed. Overall, riluzole was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, these results suggest that riluzole might indeed have antidepressant efficacy in subjects with bipolar depression.
Authors: Rodrigo Machado-Vieira; Marcio G Soeiro-De-Souza; Erica M Richards; Antonio L Teixeira; Carlos A Zarate Journal: World J Biol Psychiatry Date: 2013-09-02 Impact factor: 4.132
Authors: Mehmet Sofuoglu; Andrew J Waters; Marc Mooney; Thomas Kosten Journal: Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Date: 2007-05-18 Impact factor: 5.067
Authors: Brian P Brennan; James I Hudson; J Eric Jensen; Julie McCarthy; Jacqueline L Roberts; Andrew P Prescot; Bruce M Cohen; Harrison G Pope; Perry F Renshaw; Dost Ongür Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2009-12-02 Impact factor: 7.853