Pimozide-induced depression in men who stutter.
BACKGROUND
Neuroleptic-related dysphoric reactions are well recognized in the context of psychiatric disorders, especially in association with extrapyramidal side effects. Very few controlled data exist regarding the effects of neuroleptics on the mood of psychiatrically "normal" subjects. In this study, the depressogenic effect of the neuroleptic drug pimozide was assessed in men without psychiatric disorders.


METHODS
Eight men with developmental stuttering but no past or present psychiatric illness participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing the effect of 6 weeks of pimozide treatment on speech fluency and mood.


RESULTS
Four of the seven subjects who were compliant with the treatment developed marked depressive symptoms. No clear association was found between these reactions and pimozide dose, blood level, or degree of neurologic side effects. Symptoms abated soon after drug discontinuation.


CONCLUSIONS
Pimozide induced significant depressive symptoms in this group of psychiatrically normal men who stutter. Neuroleptic drugs may have a causal effect in the induction of depression in psychiatrically normal subjects, ostensibly independent of dose or severity of neurologic side effects.
Bloch
M
M
Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Md. 20892-1276, USA.
Stager
S
S
Braun
A
A
Calis
K A
KA
Turcasso
N M
NM
Grothe
D R
DR
Rubinow
D R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010868:Pimozide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013060:Speech / Q000187:drug effects; D013342:Stuttering / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D010868:Pimozide