Riluzole to Treat Depression in Bipolar Disorder
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Depression, Psychiatric, Bipolar Disorder |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 70 |
| Updated: | 2/7/2015 |
| Start Date: | February 2003 |
| End Date: | January 2015 |
| Contact: | Libby Jolkovsky |
| Email: | libby_jolkovsky@nih.gov |
| Phone: | (877) 646-3644 |
An Investigation of the Antidepressant Efficacy of an Antiglutamatergic Agent in Bipolar Depression
This study examines if Riluzole, (FDA approved for ALS), will improve symptoms of depression
in Bipolar Disorder.
Pupose: This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of riluzole (Rilutek
trademark) for short-term treatment of depression symptoms, such as depressed mood,
psychomotor retardation, and excessive sleeping in patients with bipolar disease. Riluzole
is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). Preliminary findings of a study using riluzole to
treat acute depression in patients with unipolar depression indicate that it may have
antidepressant properties in some patients.
Patients between 18 and 70 years of age with bipolar I or II disorder without psychosis may
be eligible for this 8-week study. Candidates must be currently depressed, must have had at
least one previous major depressive episode, and must have failed to improve with prior
treatment with at least one antidepressant. They will be screened with a medical history,
physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood and urine tests, and psychiatric
evaluation. A blood or urine sample will be analyzed for illegal drugs. Women of
childbearing potential will have a pregnancy test.
Participants will begin an 8-week course of treatment, starting with a placebo (a sugar pill
formulated to look like the active drug) and, at some point, switching to riluzole. In
addition to drug treatment, participants will undergo the following procedures:
Physical examination and electrocardiogram (EKG) at the beginning and end of the study;
Weekly check of vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and heart rate);
Weekly 1-hour interviews consisting of psychiatric and psychomotor rating scales to assess
treatment response;
Weekly blood tests to measure blood levels of riluzole and evaluate drug side effects.
At the end of the study, participants' psychiatric status will be reassessed and appropriate
long-term psychiatric treatment arranged.
Atendemos pacientes de habla hispana.
We enroll eligible participants locally and from around the country. Travel arrangements are
provided and costs covered by NIMH. (Arrangements vary by distance and by specific study.)
After completing the study participants receive short-term follow-up care while
transitioning back to a provider.
in Bipolar Disorder.
Pupose: This study will examine the safety and effectiveness of riluzole (Rilutek
trademark) for short-term treatment of depression symptoms, such as depressed mood,
psychomotor retardation, and excessive sleeping in patients with bipolar disease. Riluzole
is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease). Preliminary findings of a study using riluzole to
treat acute depression in patients with unipolar depression indicate that it may have
antidepressant properties in some patients.
Patients between 18 and 70 years of age with bipolar I or II disorder without psychosis may
be eligible for this 8-week study. Candidates must be currently depressed, must have had at
least one previous major depressive episode, and must have failed to improve with prior
treatment with at least one antidepressant. They will be screened with a medical history,
physical examination, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood and urine tests, and psychiatric
evaluation. A blood or urine sample will be analyzed for illegal drugs. Women of
childbearing potential will have a pregnancy test.
Participants will begin an 8-week course of treatment, starting with a placebo (a sugar pill
formulated to look like the active drug) and, at some point, switching to riluzole. In
addition to drug treatment, participants will undergo the following procedures:
Physical examination and electrocardiogram (EKG) at the beginning and end of the study;
Weekly check of vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and heart rate);
Weekly 1-hour interviews consisting of psychiatric and psychomotor rating scales to assess
treatment response;
Weekly blood tests to measure blood levels of riluzole and evaluate drug side effects.
At the end of the study, participants' psychiatric status will be reassessed and appropriate
long-term psychiatric treatment arranged.
Atendemos pacientes de habla hispana.
We enroll eligible participants locally and from around the country. Travel arrangements are
provided and costs covered by NIMH. (Arrangements vary by distance and by specific study.)
After completing the study participants receive short-term follow-up care while
transitioning back to a provider.
The treatments for acute unipolar depression have been extensively researched. However,
despite the availability of a wide range of antidepressant drugs, clinical trials indicate
that 30% to 40% of depressed patients fail to respond to first-line antidepressant
treatment, despite adequate dosage, duration, and compliance. Very few studies have
examined the efficacy of somatic treatments for the acute phase of bipolar depression.
Thus, there is a clear need to develop novel and improved therapeutics for bipolar
depression. Recent preclinical studies suggest that antidepressants may exert delayed
indirect effects on the glutamatergic system. Clinical data suggests that lamotrigine an
inhibitor of glutamate release and the NMDA antagonist ketamine may have antidepressant
effects. Finally, our group recently found in two separate studies that the glutamate
modulating agent riluzole was effective in treatment-resistant unipolar and bipolar
depression (Zarate et al 2004). Together, these data suggest that the glutamatergic system
may play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression, and that agents, which
more directly reduce glutamatergic neurotransmission, may represent a novel class of
antidepressants.
In this study, we propose to extend our findings from open-label studies with riluzole in
treatment-resistant depression by investigating its efficacy in a double-blind
placebo-controlled study in bipolar depression.
Patients, ages 18 to 70 years with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder I or II current episode
depressed (without psychotic features), will be randomized to double-blind treated to
receive either riluzole (50-200 mg/day) or placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Acute efficacy
will be determined by demonstrating a greater response rate using specified criteria.
Approximately 78 patients with acute bipolar depression will be enrolled in this study.
despite the availability of a wide range of antidepressant drugs, clinical trials indicate
that 30% to 40% of depressed patients fail to respond to first-line antidepressant
treatment, despite adequate dosage, duration, and compliance. Very few studies have
examined the efficacy of somatic treatments for the acute phase of bipolar depression.
Thus, there is a clear need to develop novel and improved therapeutics for bipolar
depression. Recent preclinical studies suggest that antidepressants may exert delayed
indirect effects on the glutamatergic system. Clinical data suggests that lamotrigine an
inhibitor of glutamate release and the NMDA antagonist ketamine may have antidepressant
effects. Finally, our group recently found in two separate studies that the glutamate
modulating agent riluzole was effective in treatment-resistant unipolar and bipolar
depression (Zarate et al 2004). Together, these data suggest that the glutamatergic system
may play a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression, and that agents, which
more directly reduce glutamatergic neurotransmission, may represent a novel class of
antidepressants.
In this study, we propose to extend our findings from open-label studies with riluzole in
treatment-resistant depression by investigating its efficacy in a double-blind
placebo-controlled study in bipolar depression.
Patients, ages 18 to 70 years with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder I or II current episode
depressed (without psychotic features), will be randomized to double-blind treated to
receive either riluzole (50-200 mg/day) or placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Acute efficacy
will be determined by demonstrating a greater response rate using specified criteria.
Approximately 78 patients with acute bipolar depression will be enrolled in this study.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Male or female subjects, 18-70 years of age.
Female subjects of childbearing potential must be using a medically accepted means of
contraception.
Each subject must have a level of understanding sufficient to agree to all required tests
and examinations.
Each subject must understand the nature of the study and must sign an informed consent
document.
Subjects must fulfill the criteria bipolar I or II disorder, current episode depressed
without psychotic features as defined in DSM-IV based on clinical assessment and confirmed
by structured diagnostic interview SCID-P.
Subjects must have an initial score at Visit 1 and Visit 2 of at least 20 on the MADRS.
Current duration of depressive episode should be at least 4 weeks.
Subjects must have experienced, in the opinion of the investigator, at least one previous
major depressive episode as defined in DSM-IV (not including the current major depressive
episode).
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Presence of psychotic features.
Female subjects who are either pregnant or nursing.
Serious, unstable illnesses including hepatic, renal, gastroenterologic, respiratory,
cardiovascular (including ischemic heart disease), endocrinologic, neurologic,
immunologic, or hematologic disease.
Subjects with uncorrected hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Clinically significant abnormal laboratory tests.
Current or past blood dyscrasia.
Documented history of hypersensitivity or intolerance to riluzole.
DSM-IV substance abuse or dependence within the past 90 days. No alcohol or recreational
drug use will be permitted during the study.
Treatment with an injectable depot neuroleptic within less than one dosing interval
between depot neuroleptic injections prior to visit 2.
Treatment with a reversible MAOI, guanethidine, or guanadrel within 1 week or with
fluoxetine within 5 weeks prior to Visit 2.
Treatment with any other concomitant medication with primarily CNS activity, other than
specified in Appendix A.
Treatment with clozapine or ECT within 4 weeks prior to Visit 2.
Current diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder as defined in the DSM-IV.
Current Axis I Anxiety Disorder that is clinically significant.
Judged clinically to be at serious suicidal risk.
We found this trial at
1
site
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
301-496-4000
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in...
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