An Open-Label Trial of Riluzole in Patients
With Treatment-Resistant Major Depression
by
Zarate CA Jr, Payne JL, Quiroz J, Sporn J, Denicoff KK,
Luckenbaugh D, Charney DS, Manji HK.
Am J Psychiatry. 2004 Jan 1;161(1):171-174

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of riluzole, a glutamate-modulating agent, in patients with recurrent major depression. METHOD: 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 >/==" BORDER="0">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.

Riluzole
Glutamate
Phencyclidine
NMDA antagonists
Glutamate and GABA
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizophrenia: new drugs
Glutamate and depression
Glutamate-modulating drugs for mood disorders
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