title: Risperidone in the treatment of disorders with a combined psychotic and depressive syndrome--a functional approach.
abstract: In vitro receptor-binding profiles and in vivo pharmacological studies have shown risperidone to be a potent mixed serotonin-S2 dopamine-D2-like receptor antagonist. While anti-D2 activity may relate to the antipsychotic potency of neuroleptic drugs, an antidepressive efficacy of substances with anti-S2 activity has been suggested. In an open pilot-study, ten patients with schizodepressive disorders or a DSM-III-R diagnosis of psychotic major depressive episodes were treated with risperidone (2-10 mg/d) for six weeks. Weekly psychopathological evaluation was performed, including BPRS, SANS, SAPS, VAS scales, and AIMS and UKU for the assessment of side-effects. Generally, the psychotic syndrome (BPRS, SANS and SAPS) decreased markedly in all patients; seven patients also showed a clinically significant improvement of depressive symptoms (BPRS). Except for two patients who needed biperiden because of extrapyramidal side-effects, the tolerance of risperidone was good. The antipsychotic and antidepressive properties of risperidone shown in our pilot study are promising enough to merit full double-blind controlled trials for further evaluation of its therapeutic value in this broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hillert
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Benkert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018967:Risperidone; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D010880:Piperidines; D018967:Risperidone