New drug development for post-traumatic stress disorder.
US FDA approval of two serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) agents for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has created new opportunities for drug development. This follows many years of exploring the potential utility of several classes of psychotropic agents for this very common, yet under-recognized and under-treated disorder. This review examines some of the basic neurobiological abnormalities observed in PTSD and summarizes open and controlled drug trials for major classes of medications, including SSRIs, other antidepressants, atypical neuroleptics, noradrenergic modulators and anticonvulsants, while critically evaluating the extent of effectiveness of these agents and reviewing unmet gaps in therapeutic need.
Berlant
Jeffrey
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. jberlant@pol.net
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines