title: A placebo-controlled, cross-over trial of lamotrigine in depersonalization disorder.
abstract: There is evidence to support the view that glutamate hyperactivity might be relevant to the neurobiology of depersonalization. We tested the efficacy of lamotrigine, which reduces glutamate release, as a treatment for patients with depersonalization disorder. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design was used to evaluate 12 weeks of treatment of lamotrigine. Subjects comprised nine patients with DSM-IV depersonalization disorder. Changes on the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale and the Present State Examination depersonalization/derealization items were compared across the two cross-over periods. Lamotrigine was not significantly superior to placebo. None of the nine patients was deemed a responder to the lamotrigine arm of the cross-over. Lamotrigine does not seem to be useful as a sole medication in the treatment of depersonalization disorder.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychological Medicine, Kings College, London University, London UK. m.sierra-siegert@iop.kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Glynis
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ivin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krystal
authors.forename: Anthony S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine