5-HT2 receptor antagonism in dysthymic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study with ritanserin.
Thirty patients suffering from dysthymic disorder participated in a 6-week double-blind trial comparing ritanserin 10 mg and placebo. After a single-blind placebo wash-out period of one week, the test medication was administered during 5 weeks on a double-blind basis. Twenty-three patients completed the study. At the end of the trial, ritanserin was significantly superior to placebo in its effect as manifested on the 19-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory X-1 and X-2. At the end of the study, the therapeutic effect was rated marked or moderate in 75% of the ritanserin-treated patients, but only in 18% of the controls. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of serotonin abnormalities in dysthymic disorder and suggest a therapeutic role of 5-HT2 antagonists. Ritanserin treatment was very well tolerated; no serious adverse experiences were reported.
Bersani
G
G
Psychiatric Clinical Institute, II University of Rome, Tor Vegata, Italy.
Pozzi
F
F
Marini
S
S
Grispini
A
A
Pasini
A
A
Ciani
N
N
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D016713:Ritanserin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010880:Piperidines; D010919:Placebos; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D016713:Ritanserin