Abstract
In this study, 11 unipolar depressed outpatients received baseline (medication-free) fluorine-18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans prior to randomization to double-blind venlafaxine or bupropion monotherapy, with the option of a subsequent medication crossover. Based on Clinical Global Impressions ratings, 6 of 11 responded to at least one medication. Regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate (rCMRglu) for these 6 responders was compared with 18 age- and gender-matched healthy controls; the 5 nonresponders were compared with 15 matched healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, responders showed decreased (normalized > absolute) left middle frontal gyral, bilateral medial prefrontal, and bilateral temporal rCMRglu. In contrast, nonre sponders showed decreased (normalized > absolute) cerebellar rCMRglu. These preliminary data suggest that among never-hospitalized unipolar depressed outpatients, those showing baseline prefrontal and paralimbic hypometabolism may be more likely to show a positive response to standard antidepressant treatments such as venlafaxine or bupropion.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 629-635 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Psychopharmacology bulletin |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 4 |
State | Published - 1996 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bupropion
- Cerebral glucose metabolism
- Depression
- Positron emission tomography
- Venlafaxine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)