Reboxetine in seasonal affective disorder: an open trial

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2001 Feb;11(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/s0924-977x(00)00114-0.

Abstract

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), winter type, is a condition characterized by the annual recurrence of depressive episodes during fall/winter, alternating with spring/summer euthymia or hypomania. Various neurotransmitters have been implicated in the etiology of SAD, the strongest evidence involving serotonin. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the potential role of catecholaminergic pathways in the pathophysiology of SAD. We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of reboxetine, a selective noradrenaline inhibitor, in patients with SAD. Eleven out of sixteen patients who were included in a 6-week drug surveillance during winter season experienced full remission of depressive symptoms. Nine patients reported a rapid relief of preexistent severe atypical depressive symptoms within the first treatment week. Reboxetine might therefore be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for SAD patients. In conclusion, our preliminary results are in line with evidence from recent studies suggesting that catecholaminergic systems might also be involved in the pathophysiology of SAD.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morpholines / therapeutic use*
  • Reboxetine
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Morpholines
  • Reboxetine