Effects of metergoline on symptoms in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The authors investigated the role of acute serotonergic modulation in the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.


METHODS
Patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (whose symptoms had remitted during treatment with fluoxetine) and a group of unmedicated healthy comparison women received the serotonin receptor antagonist metergoline as part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study.


RESULTS
The patients with premenstrual dysphoric disorder experienced a return of symptoms 24 hours after treatment with metergoline but not diphenhydramine (active placebo). The comparison women experienced no changes in mood.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support the role of altered serotonergic transmission in the efficacy of SSRI treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Roca
Catherine A
CA
National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1277, USA.
Schmidt
Peter J
PJ
Smith
Mark J
MJ
Danaceau
Merry A
MA
Murphy
Dennis L
DL
Rubinow
David R
DR
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008711:Metergoline; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004155:Diphenhydramine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D008711:Metergoline; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors