Preliminary evidence of riluzole efficacy in antidepressant-treated patients with residual depressive symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Excessive glutamatergic neurotransmission may contribute to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent evidence suggests that riluzole and other agents that target glutamate neurotransmission may show antidepressant activity.


METHODS
Ten patients with treatment-resistant depression had riluzole added to their ongoing medication regimen for 6 weeks, followed by an optional 6-week continuation phase. Depression and anxiety severity were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). Linear mixed models were used to test for a linear trend in HDRS and HARS scores across time with treatment.


RESULTS
Subjects' HDRS and HARS scores declined significantly following the initiation of riluzole augmentation therapy. The effect of riluzole was significant at the end of the first week of treatment and persisted for the 12-week duration of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that riluzole augmentation produces antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Sanacora
Gerard
G
Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. gerard.sanacora@yale.edu
Kendell
Steven F
SF
Levin
Yael
Y
Simen
Arthur A
AA
Fenton
Lisa R
LR
Coric
Vladimir
V
Krystal
John H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019782:Riluzole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D019782:Riluzole