title: The use of dopaminergic and stimulant drugs for the treatment of depression.
abstract: The brain reward system consists of extensive neural pathways that mediate reward behavior such as pleasure and motivation. These pathways may be involved in the development of symptoms such as apathy, anhedonia, and cognitive dysfunction seen in patients with major depression. These pathways are served primarily, although not exclusively, by the chemical neurotransmitter dopamine, which has suggested a therapeutic role for drugs that influence dopamine activity. A small number of clinical trials using various dopaminergic and stimulant drugs for the treatment of major depression and bipolar depression have demonstrated some benefit when combined with standard antidepressant drugs. Based on this work, several ongoing trials are investigating the use of the stimulant drug lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®) as an adjunctive treatment for depression.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. HowlandRH@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Howland
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000069478:Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077408:Modafinil; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C090411:Adderall; D000662:Amphetamines; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D000077408:Modafinil; D000069478:Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine