title: Roxindole, a dopamine autoreceptor agonist, in the treatment of major depression.
abstract: Roxindole is a potent autoreceptor-"selective" dopamine agonist originally developed for the treatment of schizophrenic syndromes. The drug also inhibits 5-HT uptake and has 5-HT1A agonistic actions. In this open clinical trial 12 in-patients suffering from a major depressive episode (DSM-III-R) were treated with roxindole for 28 days in a fixed dosage of 15 mg per day. A reduction of at least 50% in HAMD-17 total scores was observed in 8 out of 12 patients after 4 weeks (mean HAMD-17 reduction of 56% in all patients), while 4 patients did not respond to roxindole treatment. Half of the patients showed a complete psychopathological remission (HAMD-17 < 8). Roxindole's onset of antidepressant action was remarkably rapid. Seven out of eight responders improved within the first 2 weeks of treatment (at least 50% decrease in HAMD-17 total score), and four patients were nearly asymptomatic within 1 week. Our results indicate that roxindole may possess potent antidepressant properties and that its efficacy should be further evaluated by double-blind controlled studies against reference drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gründer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hammes
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Benkert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078183:Oxindoles; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D007211:Indoles; D000078183:Oxindoles; D011725:Pyridines; C059613:roxindole; D011388:Prolactin