Early-morning administration of short-acting beta blockers for treatment of winter depression.
Propranolol, 60 mg or less, was administered daily between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. to 33 patients with winter depression. After open treatment with a mean dose of 33 mg/day, 24 patients (73%) met the remission criteria; 23 completed double-blind continuation or placebo substitution. Subjects who continued to receive propranolol had a mean increase in Hamilton depression score of 3.5, whereas patients switched to placebo had an increase of 11.2; the difference was statistically significant. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion is the critical seasonal time cue in humans.
Schlager
D S
DS
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; D011433:Propranolol; D008550:Melatonin