Effects of tandospirone on "5-HT1A receptor-associated symptoms" in patients with Machado-Josephe disease: an open-label study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We investigated the frequencies of the symptoms such as "ataxia, depression, insomnia, anorexia, and pain," that have been reported to be associated with 5-HT1A receptor, and the effect of tandospirone citrate (tandospirone: 5-HT1A agonist) in patients with Machado-Joseph disease (MJD).

METHODS:

Ten MJD patients received tandospirone (15-30 mg/d) for seven weeks. During that time, they were evaluated weekly using the Ataxia Rating Scale (ARS) and Total Length Traveled (TLT) by Stabilimetry tests, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), which in addition to evaluating their level of depression, also evaluated their degree of insomnia and anorexia, and a pain questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Before tandospirone therapy, all patients displayed cerebellar ataxia, while insomnia, and leg pain was observed in 7 patients, depression in 6 patients, and anorexia was observed in 2 patients. In response to treatment, 7 of the 10 patients who were ataxic showed a reduction in their ARS, while 3 of 6 patients showed a reduction in their SDS, and 5 of 7 patients showed an alleviation of their insomnia and leg pain. Both of the affected patients showed a marked improvement in their anorexia. A stabilimetry test could be performed in 7 patients, 5 of whom showed a reduction in TLT.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our data indicate that the patients with MJD are prone to manifest 5-HT1A receptor-associated symptoms, and tandospirone is a useful drug for these symptoms in patients with MJD, though a double-blind study is needed.

• Authors: Asako Takei, Toshiyuki Fukazawa, Takeshi Hamada, Hiroyuki Sohma, Ichiro Yabe, Hidenao Sasaki, Kunio Tashiro
• Journal: Clinical neuropharmacology (Clin Neuropharmacol) 2004 Jan-Feb Vol. 27 Issue 1 Pg. 9-13 ISSN: 0362-5664 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15090930 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Isoindoles
• Piperazines
• Pyrimidines
• Serotonin Receptor Agonists
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A
• tandospirone

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anorexia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Depression (complications, drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Isoindoles
• Machado-Joseph Disease (complications, drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain (drug therapy, etiology)
• Piperazines (therapeutic use)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Pyrimidines (therapeutic use)
• Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A (drug effects, metabolism)
• Serotonin Receptor Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (drug therapy, etiology)