title: Sertraline induced parkinsonism. A case report and an in-vivo study of the effect of sertraline on dopamine metabolism.
abstract: We report a patient with a parkinsonian syndrome induced by sertraline (Zoloft), an SSRI antidepressant, whose symptoms resolved after the drug was discontinued. This case prompted us to investigate the effect of sertraline on dopamine metabolism in animals. Sertraline (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or placebo (vehicle) was administered to two groups of six normal, anesthetized rats and using cerebral microdyalisis extracellular striatal levels of dopamine, the dopamine metabolites (HVA and DOPAC), as well as the serotonin metabolite 5-HIIA were monitored. In animals pre-treated with sertraline, DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA levels were significantly decreased compared to control animals (p < 0.01). These data indicate that sertraline has an effect on dopamine metabolism, which may alter function in the striatum and induce a parkinsonian syndrome.
authors.affiliation: The Mount Sinai Medical Center, Department of Neurology, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Rocco
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brannan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prikhojan
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Yahr
mesh_terms: D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D017551:Microdialysis; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051381:Rats; D020280:Sertraline
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D020280:Sertraline; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid