Low CSF somatostatin associated with response to nimodipine in patents with affective illness.
BACKGROUND
In patients with depression, treatment with nimodipine has been shown to increase cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) somatostatin (SRIF) and ameliorate baseline global cerebral hypometabolism. This study was conducted to assess whether a low baseline level of CSF SRIF was associated with response to nimodipine treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-one depressed patients underwent lumbar puncture for analysis of CSF somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SRIF-LI) during a medication-free period and after at least 6 weeks of nimodipine monotherapy. Twenty-five healthy control subjects were utilized as a comparison group. Clinical improvement was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression Scale for Bipolar Illness.


RESULTS
As predicted, baseline CSF SRIF-LI was significantly lower in eventual nimodipine responders (33.1 +/- 2.8 pg/mol) compared to eventual nonresponders [41.9 +/- 2.6 pg/mL; t(19) = 1.98, p =.03, one-tailed].


CONCLUSIONS
Low baseline CSF somatostatin in depression may be associated with response to nimodipine, which in turn may be related to the ability of nimodipine to increase CSF somatostatin.
Frye
Mark A
MA
UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Pazzaglia
Peggy J
PJ
George
Mark S
MS
Luckenbaugh
David A
DA
Vanderham
Elizabeth
E
Davis
Candace L
CL
Rubinow
David R
DR
Post
Robert M
RM
D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D013004:Somatostatin; D009553:Nimodipine