Clorgyline. A new treatment for patients with refractory rapid-cycling disorder.

Five women with primary, major, bipolar affective disorder, characterized by rapid mood cycles and nonresponsiveness to conventional drug treatments, including lithium carbonate, were given low doses (2.5 to 10.0 mg/24 hr) of clorgyline, a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A. In four patients, clorgyline, along or in combination with lithium carbonate, prolonged the duration and lessened the severity of mood cycles. One patient experienced prolonged mania while receiving clorgyline therapy. Clorgyline-induced remissions have lasted from three to more than 12 months.