An open-label trial of riluzole in patients with treatment-resistant major depression.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of riluzole, a glutamate-modulating agent, in patients with recurrent major depression.


METHODS
After a 1-week drug-free period, subjects 18 years or older with a diagnosis of recurrent major depression and a Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score > or = 20 received riluzole monotherapy (100-200 mg/day) openly for 6 weeks.


RESULTS
Nineteen treatment-resistant depressed patients, 53% of whom were classified as having stage 2 treatment resistance or greater, received riluzole at a mean dose of 169 mg/day. Significant improvement occurred during weeks 3 through 6 for all patients and weeks 2 through 6 for completers.


CONCLUSIONS
Although preliminary, these results indicate that riluzole may have antidepressant properties in some patients.
Zarate
Carlos A
CA
Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology and Experimental Therapeutics and the Pathophysiology Branch, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, NIMH, Department of Health and Human Services, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. zaratec@intra.nimh.nih.gov
Payne
Jennifer L
JL
Quiroz
Jorge
J
Sporn
Jonathan
J
Denicoff
Kirk K
KK
Luckenbaugh
David
D
Charney
Dennis S
DS
Manji
Husseini K
HK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D019782:Riluzole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D019782:Riluzole