5-HT2 receptor antagonism in dysthymic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study with ritanserin.

Abstract

Thirty patients suffering from dysthymic disorder participated in a 6-week double-blind trial comparing ritanserin 10 mg and placebo. After a single-blind placebo wash-out period of one week, the test medication was administered during 5 weeks on a double-blind basis. Twenty-three patients completed the study. At the end of the trial, ritanserin was significantly superior to placebo in its effect as manifested on the 19-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory X-1 and X-2. At the end of the study, the therapeutic effect was rated marked or moderate in 75% of the ritanserin-treated patients, but only in 18% of the controls. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of serotonin abnormalities in dysthymic disorder and suggest a therapeutic role of 5-HT2 antagonists. Ritanserin treatment was very well tolerated; no serious adverse experiences were reported.

• Authors: G Bersani, F Pozzi, S Marini, A Grispini, A Pasini, N Ciani
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand) Vol. 83 Issue 4 Pg. 244-8 (Apr 1991) ISSN: 0001-690X [Print] United States
• PMID: 1903019 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Piperidines
• Placebos
• Receptors, Serotonin
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Ritanserin

Topics

• Adult
• Depressive Disorder (drug therapy, physiopathology, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Personality Inventory
• Piperidines (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Placebos
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Receptors, Serotonin (physiology)
• Ritanserin
• Serotonin Antagonists (adverse effects, therapeutic use)