Normalization of enhanced fear recognition by acute SSRI treatment in subjects with a previous history of depression.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to 1) assess facial expression recognition in subjects with a previous history of major depressive disorder relative to subjects with no history of depression and 2) characterize the effects of acute citalopram infusion on recognition performance for both groups.


METHODS
Unmedicated euthymic women with a history of major depression and matched comparison subjects with no history of depression were given a facial expression recognition task following intravenous infusion of saline or citalopram (10 mg) in a double-blind, between-group design.


RESULTS
Following saline infusion, subjects with a previous history of depression showed a selectively greater recognition of fear relative to the subjects with no history of depression. The abnormal fear processing observed in the subjects with a previous history of depression was normalized following citalopram infusion, an effect that was opposite to that seen with the subjects with no history of depression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that increased recognition of fear is a trait vulnerability marker for depression and that this is normalized following a single dose of citalopram.
Bhagwagar
Zubin
Z
University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford.
Cowen
Philip J
PJ
Goodwin
Guy M
GM
Harmer
Catherine J
CJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005149:Facial Expression; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors