title: An open-label trial of riluzole in patients with treatment-resistant major depression.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Zarate
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quiroz
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sporn
authors.forename: Kirk K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Denicoff
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luckenbaugh
authors.forename: Dennis S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Charney
authors.forename: Husseini K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Manji
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D019782:Riluzole