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Serotonin reuptake inhibition by citalopram in rat strains differing for their emotionality.

Pollier F, Sarre S, Aguerre S, Ebinger G, Mormede P, Michotte Y, Chaouloff F.

Laboratory of NeuroGenetique and Stress, INSERM U471, Bordeaux, France.

Acute administration of the selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram (1-10 mg/kg, i.p. 1 h before an elevated plus-maze test), to Spontaneously Hypertensive rats (SHRs), Lewis (LEW) rats, and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, i.e., rat strains differing for their emotionality, promoted anxiety, and/or hypoactivity, except in WKY rats. In the three strains, such a pretreatment increased central 5-HT levels and/or decreased 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels. Hippocampal, but not midbrain or striatal, [3H]citalopram binding at 5-HT transporters was lower in WKY rats than in SHRs. However, neither [3H]5-HT reuptake kinetics nor the potencies of citalopram (1-1000 nM) to inhibit [3H]5-HT reuptake into hippocampal and striatal synaptosomes differed between strains. This was confirmed in vivo by means of microdialysis in the hippocampus of freely moving rats. Thus, although LEW rats displayed a 3-4 fold higher baseline level of extracellular 5-HT in the hippocampus, compared with SHRs and WKY rats, local perfusion with 1 microM citalopram promoted relative increases in extracellular 5-HT levels over baseline that were similar in all strains. Lastly, acute i.p. administration of 3.3 mg/kg citalopram (1 h beforehand) decreased to similar extents [3H]5-HT reuptake into hippocampal synaptosomes from SHRs and WKY rats. This study indicates that genetic differences in the behavioural responses to SSRIs may involve 5-HT transporter-independent mechanisms.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10633492&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro



citalopram escitalopram Lexapro
The activity of rat brain nitric oxide synthase following chronic antidepressant treatment.

Jopek R, Kata M, Nowak G.

Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is an enzyme involved in the activation of the glutamate/NMDA receptor-induced cascade of events. In this study we investigated the NOS activity in different rat brain regions after chronic electroconvulsive, imipramine and citalopram treatments. Chronic electroconvulsive treatment significantly increased the NOS activity (by 49%) in the cerebral cortex. However, chronic treatment with imipramine or citalopram did not alter the activity of NOS in all examined brain regions (cortex, hippocampus or cerebellum). The increased NOS activity after electroconvulsive but not pharmacologic (imipramine or citalopram) treatment may well reflect the differences between the adaptive changes of the NMDA receptor complex induced by these treatments.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10635364&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro



citalopram escitalopram Lexapro
Citalopram treatment for impulsive aggression in children and adolescents: an open pilot study.

Armenteros JL, Lewis JE.

Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136, USA. j.armenteros miami.edu

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short-term effect and safety of citalopram in the reduction of impulsive aggression in children and adolescents. METHOD: Twelve subjects, aged 7 to 15 years, were attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic and had a profile of impulsive aggression. Subjects were treated in an open trial with citalopram for 6 weeks after a 1-week washout period. Dosage was regulated individually over a period of 4 weeks. The starting dose was 10 mg/day followed by 10 mg increments on a weekly basis. The maximum dose was not to exceed 40 mg/day. Outcome measures included the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL), and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). RESULTS: Eleven subjects completed the study Citalopram produced clinically and statistically significant reductions on target symptoms of impulsive aggression, independent of other behavioral problems, as measured by the MOAS, the CBCL, and the CGI at doses ranging from 20 to 40 mg/day (mean = 27 mg). No major adverse reactions were associated with citalopram use. CONCLUSION: Citalopram appears to be effective and well tolerated in this sample of children and adolescents with impulsive aggression.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12014784&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro



citalopram escitalopram Lexapro
Citalopram in children and adolescents with depression or anxiety.

Baumgartner JL, Emslie GJ, Crismon ML.

College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Austin, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of citalopram in children and adolescents. METHOD: Retrospective chart review of 17 outpatients treated with citalopram at a tertiary care center. Subjects were diagnosed with a depressive or anxiety disorder with or without comorbidities and may have received concurrent medications. The primary outcome measure was the Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale (CGI-I). Secondary outcome measures were the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Adverse effects were assessed via chart documentation. RESULTS: Patients were treated with a mean citalopram dose of 22.4 +/- 7.3 mg for 12 weeks. Thirteen patients (76%) had CGI-I scores </=2: 8 of 12 patients with depression and 5 of 5 patients with an anxiety disorder. The mean time to response was 7.6 +/- 3.6 weeks. Additionally, 6 of 8 patients had >/=50% reduction from baseline CDRS-R score, with 3 patients (38%) meeting criteria for remission. Three of 4 patients had a >50% reduction for baseline SCARED-parent score. Overall, adverse effects appeared minor and transient. One patient discontinued citalopram due to intolerable adverse effects, and 1 patient required dose reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Citalopram appears to be effective and well tolerated in this group of children and adolescents with depressive or anxiety disorders and a high degree of comorbidity. Controlled studies in this patient population are indicated.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12398561&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro



citalopram escitalopram Lexapro
Worsening of Parkinson's disease by citalopram.

Linazasoro G.

Centro de Neurologia y Neurocirugia funcional, Clinica Quiron, Parque Alcolea, 7 20012, San Sebastian, Spain

More than 50% of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience mood disturbances. Serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are very active in the management of depression. Citalopram is a new SSRI increasingly used in the treatment of depression. The question of a negative impact of SSRI on the motor function of patients with PD is an important clinical issue. A number of such observations have published with various SSRI, but none, up-to-now with citalopram. We report the case of a patient with PD who experienced a worsening in the motor status soon after the addition of citalopram to her antiparkinsonian drug regime. This single case report suggests that this potential adverse event is a class related side effect.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10699393&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro



citalopram escitalopram Lexapro
Increased adenylyl cyclase type 1 mRNA, but not adenylyl cyclase type 2 in the rat hippocampus following antidepressant treatment.

Jensen JB, Mikkelsen JD, Mork A.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400, Copenhagen, Denmark. jej lundbeck.com

The adenylyl cyclase (AC) system is affected by several types of antidepressant treatments, and increased activity in this system is linked to the therapeutic action of antidepressants. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of single-dose and long-term treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram (10 mg/kg, i.p.), on the AC system in the male rat brain of Wistar rats. Furthermore, we compared the effects of long-term citalopram and lithium treatments on the AC system. Long-term citalopram, but not single-dose administration, increased the AC type 1 mRNA in the hippocampus, whereas type 2 mRNA was unaffected. Long-term lithium treatment also increased AC1 in the hippocampus. However, long-term citalopram treatment did not increase AC type 1 protein, basal or forskolin-stimulated AC activity, but GTP increased AC activity in the hippocampus. This may indicate enhanced AC/G protein coupling. Thus, citalopram may increase cAMP signalling by acting on components of the AC system without affecting the protein level of the AC type 1.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10706991&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro



citalopram escitalopram Lexapro
Citalopram reduces social interaction in rats by activation of serotonin (5-HT)(2C) receptors.

Dekeyne A, Denorme B, Monneyron S, Millan MJ.

Institut de Recherches Servier, Psychopharmacology Department, 125, Chemin de Ronde, 78290 Croissy-sur-Seine, Paris, France.

The selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.), reduced social interaction (SI) in rats. This action was abolished by the 5-HT(2B/2C) receptor antagonist, SB206, 553 (0.63 mg/kg, s.c.), and the 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist, SB242, 084 (0.04 mg/kg, i.p.), but not by the 5-HT(2A) antagonist, MDL100, 907 (0.04 mg/kg, s.c.), the 5-HT(1A) antagonist, WAY100,635 (0.16 mg/kg, s.c.), or the 5-HT(3) antagonist, ondansetron (0.16 mg/kg, s. c.). These data suggest that 5-HT(2C) receptors are involved in the "anxiogenic" actions of citalopram.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10727723&dopt=Abstract citalopram escitalopram Lexapro