Cholinergic drugs as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in affective disorders.
The hypothesis of a significant involvement of the cholinergic system in the pathogenesis of affective disorders still lacks strong experimental support. This is mainly because of missing specific peripheral markers of the central nervous activity of the cholinergic system and the lack of specific cholinergic agonists and antagonists without severe peripheral side effects. As the direct cholinergic agonist RS 86 seems to be more suitable because of its minor side effects, long half-life and oral applicability, it was tested for its antimanic property and its effect on the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal system and the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-generating system. RS 86 exhibited antimanic and REM sleep-inducing properties, but failed to stimulate the cortisol system.
Berger
M
M
Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Federal Republic of Germany.
Riemann
D
D
Krieg
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects; D013388:Succinimides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D013388:Succinimides; C001886:2-ethyl-8-methyl-2,8-diazaspiro(4,5)decane-1,3-dione; D006854:Hydrocortisone