The effects of acute treatment with tandospirone, diazepam, and placebo on driving performance and cognitive function in healthy volunteers

The behavioural effects of the serotonin 1A receptor agonist buspirone on cognition and emotional processing in healthy volunteers

RATIONALE

The 5-HT1A receptor is expressed widely across the brain and is implicated in the mechanism of action of several therapeutics for mood disorders. However, there is limited and contradictory evidence about the role of this receptor in emotional processing and cognition.

OBJECTIVES

The current study tested the acute effects of a single dose of the 5-HT1A agonist buspirone (20 mg), on a range of emotional processing (Emotional Test Battery) and cognitive (Auditory Verbal Learning Task (AVLT) and N-back) tasks in healthy, male and female volunteers (N = 62). The study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel group design.

RESULTS

Buspirone reduced accuracy for detection of facial expressions of disgust and increased misclassification of negative facial emotions. It had no significant effects on categorisation or recall of emotionally-valanced words. Buspirone also reduced recall accuracy in the AVLT but had no significant effect in the N-back task. Participants receiving buspirone were more likely to experience nausea, light-headedness and sleepiness.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute buspirone administration produced a mild impairment in verbal memory and a subtle negative bias in emotional processing in healthy volunteers. These effects are consistent with the mixed effects of buspirone on pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors.

Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics and police-reported motor vehicle crash risk among older adults: a sequential target trial emulation

Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics ("Z-drugs") are prescribed for insomnia but might increase the risk of motor vehicle crash (MVC) among older adults through prolonged drowsiness and delayed reaction times. We estimated the effect of initiating Z-drug treatment on the 12-week risk of MVC in a sequential target trial emulation. After linking New Jersey driver licensing and police-reported MVC data to Medicare claims, we emulated a new target trial each week (July 1, 2007, to October 7, 2017) in which Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries were classified as Z-drug-treated or untreated at baseline and followed for an MVC. We used inverse probability of treatment and censoring-weighted pooled logistic regression models to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and risk differences with 95% bootstrap confidence limits (CLs). There were 257 554 person-trials, of which 103 371 were Z-drug-treated and 154 183 untreated, giving rise to 976 and 1249 MVCs, respectively. The intention-to-treat RR was 1.06 (95% CL, 0.95-1.16). For the per-protocol estimand, there were 800 MVCs and 1241 MVCs among treated and untreated person-trials, respectively, suggesting a reduced MVC risk (RR, 0.83; 95% CL, 0.74-0.92) with sustained Z-drug treatment. Z-drugs should be prescribed to older patients judiciously but not withheld entirely over concerns about MVC risk. This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.

A scoping review of motor vehicle operator performance assessments for benzodiazepine receptor agonists

Background

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (e.g., zopiclone, zolpidem) (benzodiazepine receptor agonists or BZRAs), are prescribed for anxiety and insomnia disorders. However, they are not indicated as first line therapies for long-term management due to harms and efficacy limitations. BZRAs have also been associated with traffic accident risks. Patients taking BZRAs are told to consult with health care providers regarding motor vehicle operation safety. However, advice on driving is variable. The objective of this scoping review is to identify, map, and characterize the evidence for assessments that measure driving performance in people taking BZRAs.

Methods

Embase (Elsevier), MEDLINE (Ovid), and PsycINFO (EBSCO) were searched. Covidence was used for screening. Each stage of screening included two independent reviewers. A REDCap database was used for data extraction by two independent reviewers. Results were tabulated and summarised as a narrative.

Results

Driving performance was assessed with 20 unique BZRAs across 183 studies (n = 92 experimental; n = 91 observational) in 178 publications. Zopiclone was the most studied. In experimental studies, the Standard Deviation of Lateral Position (SDLP) was used most often (n = 54, 62 %) and many studies (n = 35, 38 %) were conducted in the Netherlands. For observational studies, biological detection (e.g., urine, blood) (n = 73, 80 %) followed by prescription drug/dispensing records (n = 17, 19 %) were the most common impairment measures and Norway (n = 20) is where most studies took place. In experimental studies, most (n = 89, 97 %) were conducted using only one driving setting. Simulated driving in a car (n = 36) and road driving in traffic (n = 36) were common as compared to nontraffic driving course (n = 8) and simulated driving (n = 9). In experimental studies, seventy-eight of the 92 studies (85 %) had at least one measure that identified impairment.

Conclusions

BZRA effects on motor vehicle driving performance have been studied using heterogenous protocols with multiple measures and settings, ranging from simulation to authentic traffic situations in experimental studies to biological detection and dispensing records in observational studies. Many BZRAs have been studied but study representation does not match prescribing pattern prevalence. The interpretation and contextualization of results for clinical practice is challenging due to the complexity (i.e., protocols, measures, settings). Future work in this area should work to improve knowledge translation of results so information is more readily accessible and applicable to health care providers and patients.

Anxiolytic effects of Enterococcus faecalis 2001 on a mouse model of colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory inflammatory bowel disease, which is known to cause psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression at a high rate in addition to peripheral inflammatory symptoms. However, the pathogenesis of these psychiatric disorders remains mostly unknown. While prior research revealed that the Enterococcus faecalis 2001 (EF-2001) suppressed UC-like symptoms and accompanying depressive-like behaviors, observed in a UC model using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), whether it has an anxiolytic effect remains unclear. Therefore, we examined whether EF-2001 attenuates DSS-induced anxiety-like behaviors. Treatment with 2% DSS for seven days induced UC-like symptoms and anxiety-like behavior through the hole-board test, increased serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and corticosterone concentration, and p-glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), and decreased N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit (NR) 2A and NR2B expression levels in the PFC. Interestingly, these changes were reversed by EF-2001 administration. Further, EF-2001 administration enhanced CAMKII/CREB/BDNF-Drebrin pathways in the PFC of DSS-treated mice, and labeling of p-GR, p-CAMKII, and p-CREB showed colocalization with neurons. EF-2001 attenuated anxiety-like behavior by reducing serum LPS and corticosterone levels linked to the improvement of UC symptoms and by facilitating the CAMKII/CREB/BDNF-Drebrin pathways in the PFC. Our findings suggest a close relationship between UC and anxiety.

The Serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) Receptor as a Pharmacological Target in Depression

Clinical depression is a common, debilitating and heterogenous disorder. Existing treatments for depression are inadequate for a significant minority of patients and new approaches are urgently needed. A wealth of evidence implicates the serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor in the pathophysiology of depression. Stimulation of the 5-HT1A receptor is an existing therapeutic target for treating depression and anxiety, using drugs such as buspirone and tandospirone. However, activation of 5-HT1A raphe autoreceptors has also been suggested to be responsible for the delay in the therapeutic action of conventional antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This narrative review provides a brief overview of the 5-HT1A receptor, the evidence implicating it in depression and in the effects of conventional antidepressant treatment. We highlight that pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors may have divergent roles in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. To date, developing this understanding to progress therapeutic discovery has been limited, partly due to a paucity of specific pharmacological probes suitable for use in humans. The development of 5-HT1A 'biased agonism', using compounds such as NLX-101, offers the opportunity to further elucidate the roles of pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors. We describe how experimental medicine approaches can be helpful in profiling the effects of 5-HT1A receptor modulation on the different clinical domains of depression, and outline some potential neurocognitive models that could be used to test the effects of 5-HT1A biased agonists.

Driving anxiety and anxiolytics while driving: Their impacts on behaviour and cognition behind the wheel

Introduction

The interaction between road safety and drivers' mental health is an important issue to take into consideration on transportation and safety research. The present review deals specifically with the link between anxiety and driving activity from two complementary points of view.

Method

A systematic review into primary studies, following the PRISMA statement, was carried out in four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Transport Research International Documentation and Pubmed. A total of 29 papers were retained. On the one hand, we present a systematic review of research articles exploring the cognitive and behavioural effects of driving anxiety, regardless its onset, when concerned people have to drive. The second goal of the review is to compile the available literature on the influence of legal drugs, which are used to fight against anxiety, on actual driving tasks.

Results

Eighteen papers have been retained for the first question, whose main findings show that exaggerated cautious driving, negative feelings and avoidance are associated with driving anxiety. Most of the conclusions were drawn from self-reported questionnaires and little is known about the effects in situ. Concerning the second question, benzodiazepines are the most studied legal drugs. They affect different attentional processes and could slow reaction times down depending on the population and treatment features.

Conclusions

The two standpoints included in the present work allow us to propose some possible lines of research to study certain aspects that have not been explored in depth about people who either feel apprehensive about driving or who drive under the effects of anxiolytics.

Practical applications

The study on driving anxiety may be crucial to estimate the consequences for traffic safety. Furthermore, it is relevant to design effective campaigns to raise awareness about the issues discussed. To propose standard evaluations of driving anxiety and exhaustive research works to find out the extent of anxiolytics use are also important to be considered for traffic policies.

Validity and reliability of a driving simulator for evaluating the influence of medicinal drugs on driving performance

RATIONALE

Although driving simulators (DS) are receiving increasing attention due to concern over traffic accidents under the influences of drugs, few DS are recognized for their reliability and validity. Therefore, the development of an evaluation system using DS for driving performance is urgently needed.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) increases with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) using a DS with reliability and calculate the SDLP threshold from the difference between BAC levels of 0 and 0.05%.

METHODS

Twenty healthy Japanese men performed the DS tasks up to 60 min in Study 1 and DS tasks twice at 1-week intervals in Study 2. Twenty-six healthy men conducted the same DS tasks under BAC level (0, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.09%) in double-blind, randomized, crossover trial in Study 3. The primary outcome was SDLP in a road-tracking test. The test-retest reliability of DS data was assessed, and the estimated difference in SDLP between BAC levels of 0 and 0.05% was calculated using a linear regression model.

RESULTS

The cumulative SDLP values at 5-min intervals were stable, and the intraclass correlation coefficient for its values was 0.93. SDLP increased with BAC in a concentration-dependent manner. The predicted ΔSDLP value for the difference between BAC levels of 0 and 0.05% was 9.23 cm. No participants dropped out because of simulator sickness.

CONCLUSIONS

The new DS used in these studies has reliability, validity, and tolerability and is considered suitable for evaluating the influence of drugs on driving performance.

Driver assessment service for people with mental illness

Mental illness often leads to functional deficits that likely affect one’s driving performance and may even pose threat to other road users. However, having a mental illness does not automatically preclude one from driving which is essential to mobility and productivity. Indeed, evaluating their fitness-to-drive would be of necessary. Despite that, there is still a lack of a local driving evaluation service that specifically addresses the impact of mental illness on driving capacity. This paper discusses the needs to evaluate the fitness-to-drive of people with mental illness. It advocates the development of such specific driver assessment service with a local example as illustration. Lastly, some of the challenges related to the drivers’ responsibility to declare personal health status and large variety of assessment approaches are also discussed.

A controlled study of the efficacy and safety of tandospirone citrate combined with escitalopram in the treatment of vascular depression: A pilot randomized controlled trial at a single-center in China

Vascular depression can respond poorly to antidepressants. This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of tandospirone plus escitalopram for treating vascular depression with anxiety. This pilot randomized controlled trial included consecutive inpatients/outpatients with vascular depression/anxiety at the Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, China (January 2014 to December 2016). Among 157 patients screened, 100 were randomly divided into the tandospirone + escitalopram (combination therapy) and escitalopram (monotherapy) groups equally, and then followed for 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and Mini-Mental State examination (MMSE) scales. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed with the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). HAMD and HAMA scores decreased progressively, showing reductions versus baseline at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks in both groups (P < 0.001). HAMD and HAMA scores were lower in the tandospirone + escitalopram group than those in the escitalopram group at 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.001), but not at 4 and 8 weeks. Improvements in CGI scores (severity, improvement and efficacy indexes) were greater in the tandospirone + escitalopram group than that in the escitalopram group at 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.01), but not at 4 and 8 weeks. The tandospirone + escitalopram group had higher MMSE scores than that in the escitalopram group at 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.01). All AEs were mild, and the rates were comparable between groups. Augmentation of escitalopram with tandospirone accelerates the onset of anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects and improves cognitive function in patients with vascular depression and anxiety.

Effects of hypnotics on prefrontal cortex activity during a verbal fluency task in healthy male subjects: A near-infrared spectroscopy study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of hypnotics on prefrontal cortex activity in healthy subjects using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

METHODS

Eighteen healthy males received acute doses of ramelteon (8 mg), triazolam (0.125 mg), or placebo in a predetermined randomization schedule, with a washout period of more than 1 week. All subjects performed a verbal fluency task during NIRS assessments at baseline and at 1 and 4 hr post-dose. The number of words correctly generated during the task (behavioral performance) and scores on the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) were also recorded at each test time.

RESULTS

Compared with the placebo, triazolam (0.125 mg) significantly decreased oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration change in NIRS during the posttask period and significantly increased behavioral performance, whereas triazolam (0.125 mg) and ramelteon (8 mg) significantly increased SSS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential effects of two types of hypnotics on oxy-Hb change measured by NIRS were observed in acute dosing, suggesting that when assessing brain activity of patients with psychiatric disorders, researchers should consider how certain types of hypnotics can influence brain function. This would also provide useful information to clinicians when prescribing hypnotics suitable for their patients' conditions.

Evaluation method regarding the effect of psychotropic drugs on driving performance: A literature review

Although automobile driving is necessary for many people, including patients with mental disorders, the influence of psychotropic drugs on driving performance remains unclear and requires scientific verification. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a review of the literature in order to aid the development of a valid evaluation method regarding the influence of medication on driving performance. We conducted a literature search using two sets of terms on PubMed. One set was related to psychotropic drugs, and the other to driving tests. We excluded reviews and case studies and added literature found on other sites. A total of 121 relevant reports were found. The experiments were roughly divided into on-the-road tests (ORT) and driving simulators (DS). Although highway driving tests in ORT are most often used to evaluate driving performance, DS are becoming increasingly common because of their safety and low cost. The validity of evaluation methods for alcohol should be verified; however, we found that there were few validated tests, especially for DS. The scenarios and measurement indices of each DS were different, which makes it difficult to compare the results of DS studies directly. No evaluation indices, except for SD of lateral position, were sufficiently validated. Although highway ORT are the gold standard, DS were shown to have an increasing role in evaluating driving performance. The reliability of DS needs to be established, as does their validation with alcohol in order to accumulate more high-quality evidence.

The relationship between dopamine receptor blockade and cognitive performance in schizophrenia: a [11C]-raclopride PET study with aripiprazole

Aripiprazole's effects on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia are unclear because of the difficulty in disentangling specific effects on cognitive function from secondary effects due to the improvement in other schizophrenic symptoms. One approach to address this is to use an intermediate biomarker to investigate the relationship between the drug's effect on the brain and change in cognitive function. This study aims to investigate aripiprazole's effect on working memory by determining the correlation between dopamine D2/3 (D2/3) receptor occupancy and working memory of patients with schizophrenia. Seven patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. Serial positron emission tomography (PET) scans with [¹¹C]raclopride were conducted at 2, 26, and 74 h after the administration of aripiprazole. The subjects performed the N-back task just after finishing the [¹¹C]raclopride PET scan. The mean (±SD) D2/3 receptor occupancies were 66.9 ± 6.7% at 2 h, 65.0 ± 8.6% at 26, and 57.7 ± 11.2% at 74 h after administering aripiprazole. Compared with performance on the zero-back condition, performance in memory-loaded conditions (one-, two-, and three-back conditions) was significantly related to D2/3 receptor occupancy by aripiprazole (error rate: ß = -2.236, t = -6.631, df = 53.947, and p = 0.001; reaction time: ß = -9.567, t = -2.808, df = 29.967, and p = 0.009). Although the sample size was relatively small, these results suggest that aripiprazole as a dopamine-partial agonist could improve cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia.

Medication use and the risk of motor vehicle collisions among licensed drivers: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Driving under the influence of prescription and over-the-counter medication is a growing public health concern. A systematic review of the literature was performed to investigate which specific medications were associated with increased risk of motor vehicle collision (MVC).

METHODS

The a priori inclusion criteria were: (1) studies published from English-language sources on or after January 1, 1960, (2) licensed drivers 15 years of age and older, (3) peer-reviewed publications, master's theses, doctoral dissertations, and conference papers, (4) studies limited to randomized control trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, or case-control type studies (5) outcome measure reported for at least one specific medication, (6) outcome measure reported as the odds or risk of a motor vehicle collision. Fourteen databases were examined along with hand-searching. Independent, dual selection of studies and data abstraction was performed.

RESULTS

Fifty-three medications were investigated by 27 studies included in the review. Fifteen (28.3%) were associated with an increased risk of MVC. These included Buprenorphine, Codeine, Dihydrocodeine, Methadone, Tramadol, Levocitirizine, Diazepam, Flunitrazepam, Flurazepam, Lorazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam, Carisoprodol, Zolpidem, and Zopiclone.

CONCLUSIONS

Several medications were associated with an increased risk of MVC and decreased driving ability. The associations between specific medication use and the increased risk of MVC and/or affected driving ability are complex. Future research opportunities are plentiful and worthy of such investigation.

The effects of acute treatment with ramelteon, triazolam, and placebo on driving performance, cognitive function, and equilibrium function in healthy volunteers

RATIONALE

Hypnotics are widely used to treat insomnia but adverse effects of different hypnotics, especially benzodiazepine receptor agonists, are getting more attention lately. The effects of novel hypnotics have not been fully examined.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the effects of two hypnotics, ramelteon and triazolam, on driving performance, cognitive function, and equilibrium function.

METHODS

In this double-blinded, three-way crossover trial, 17 healthy males received acute doses of 8 mg ramelteon, 0.125 mg triazolam, and placebo. The subjects were administered three driving tasks-road-tracking, car-following, and harsh-braking-using a driving simulator and three cognitive tasks-Continuous Performance Test, N-back Test, and Trail-Making Test-at baseline and at 1 and 4 h post-dosing. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores and computerized posturography were also assessed.

RESULTS

In the driving simulations, ramelteon and triazolam increased the number of subjects who slid off the road. Triazolam increased the standard deviation of lateral position compared to ramelteon and placebo at 1 h post-dosing. Ramelteon and triazolam significantly increased the time to complete of Trail-Making Test part A and the environmental area in posturography compared to placebo at 1 and 4 h post-dosing. Ramelteon and triazolam significantly increased subjective sleepiness compared to placebo at 1 h post-dosing.

CONCLUSIONS

Ramelteon may affect road-tracking performance, visual attention and/or psychomotor speed measured by Trail-Making Test part A, and body balance in acute dosing. Lower dose of triazolam also impaired performance worse than ramelteon. Physicians should consider risks and benefits when prescribing both drugs, especially in the initial period of administration.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of tandospirone versus sertraline monotherapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized open-label trial

OBJECTIVE

Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are now established as first-line pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD), other agents with different mechanisms have shown promise in treating SAD. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of tandospirone in treating adolescents with SAD.

METHODS

Adolescent patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for SAD were randomly assigned (1:1) to open-label treatment with either tandospirone or sertraline for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measures were changes from baseline in the Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) scale and response using the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) scale.

RESULTS

The adjusted mean change in HAM-A scores from baseline was indicating a significant improvement over baseline in both treatment arms (p < 0.0001). The mean CGI-I scale score at week was with no significant difference between the two arms (p = 0.42). Rates of response were 48.6% for tandospirone and 55.6% for sertraline using the CGI-I. Response rates were 37.1% for tandospirone and 41.7% for sertraline using a HAM-A response criterion (≥50% reduction). The adjusted mean change in Social Phobia Inventory scores from baseline was indicating a significant improvement over baseline in both treatment arms (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Tandospirone is safe and effective and appears non-inferior to sertraline for SAD in youths.

Effects of low-dose mirtazapine on driving performance in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess whether a lower initial dose of mirtazapine can lessen the harmful effect on driving performance or not in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

METHODS

Thirteen healthy men received 8 days of continuous nocturnal doses of mirtazapine at 7.5 mg or 15 mg, or placebo. At baseline and on days 2 and 9, subjects performed three driving tasks (road-tracking, car-following, and harsh-braking tasks) using a driving simulator and a Continuous Performance Test. Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) scores were also assessed. In the mirtazapine 7.5 mg series, 15 mg of mirtazapine was additionally administered on day 9, followed by all the same assessments on day 10.

RESULTS

Mirtazapine 7.5 mg had no significant effects on any tasks except for SSS compared with placebo. Mirtazapine 15 mg impaired road-tracking task and SSS. The increase in mirtazapine dose also had no significant effects on any tasks compared with those before dose increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Mirtazapine 7.5 mg did not cause driving impairment compared with mirtazapine 15 mg, while both doses of mirtazapine produced subjective somnolence. The increase in mirtazapine had no detrimental effects on psychomotor performance. Initial low-dose mirtazapine may be safer for automobile driving than the normal starting dose.

The role of serotonin in cognitive function: evidence from recent studies and implications for understanding depression

BACKGROUND

Symptoms of cognitive impairment such as poor concentration, memory loss and difficulty with decision making are prevalent in patients with depression, but currently are not specific targets for treatment. However, patients can continue to demonstrate cognitive impairments even when apparently clinically recovered. Drugs that potentiate serotonin (5-HT) function, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are the mainstay of treatment for depression. Nevertheless, our understanding of the effects of SSRIs and other conventional antidepressant therapy on cognitive function in healthy humans and depressed patients remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to provide a concise overview for clinicians on the impact of pharmacological manipulation of 5-HT on cognitive function in healthy humans with additional reference to animal models where human data are lacking, particularly regarding specific 5-HT receptor subtype modulation.

FINDINGS

The most consistent observation following manipulation of serotonin levels in humans is that low extracellular 5-HT levels are associated with impaired memory consolidation. Preclinical data show that agonism and antagonism at specific 5-HT receptors can exert effects in animal models of cognition.

CONCLUSIONS

Larger, consistently designed studies are needed to understand the roles of 5-HT in cognition in healthy and depressed individuals. Efforts to target specific 5-HT receptors to improve cognitive outcomes are warranted.

Effects of repeated dosing with mirtazapine, trazodone, or placebo on driving performance and cognitive function in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repeated treatments with the sedative antidepressants mirtazapine and trazodone on driving performance and cognitive function.

METHODS

Nineteen healthy men received continuous nocturnal doses of 15-mg mirtazapine , 25-mg trazodone, or placebo for 8 days in a double-blinded, three-way crossover trial. Subjects were asked to perform three driving tasks (road tracking, car following, and harsh braking) using a driving simulator and cognitive tasks (the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Continuous Performance Test, and N-back Test) at baseline and on Days 2 and 9. Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores were also assessed.

RESULTS

Mirtazapine significantly increased the standard deviation of lateral position in the road-tracking task as compared with trazodone on Day 2. Mirtazapine significantly increased Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores as compared with trazodone and placebo. For the remaining tasks, no significant effects of treatment were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute treatment of mirtazapine impaired road-tracking performance and increased sleepiness, but sedative effects disappeared under repeated administrations. Trazodone did not affect driving performance or cognitive function under acute or repeated administrations. Both initial sedative effects and pharmacological profiles should be taken into consideration when using sedative antidepressants.

Current and emerging therapies for the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders

The functional gastrointestinal disorders are common disorders that are associated with significant quality-of-life impairment and considerable economic burden on the healthcare system. They are frequently associated with a comorbid psychiatric condition; this, together with a striking lack of effective pharmacological therapies, means they represent a considerable therapeutic challenge to the treating physician. In this overview, we examine the evidence to support the use of agents currently used in the management of the more common functional gastrointestinal disorders and review emerging therapies.

Differential effects of diazepam, tandospirone, and paroxetine on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor level under mental stress

OBJECTIVES

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are reduced in depressed patients, and successful antidepressant treatment leads to increases in BDNF levels. However, little is known about how psychotropic drugs affect the mechanism of the human response to mental stress. We investigated the influence of psychotropic drugs on plasma BDNF levels under mental stress using a driving simulator (DS) task.

METHODS

Fourteen healthy male volunteers received one of four drugs, diazepam (5 mg), tandospirone (20 mg), paroxetine (10 mg), and matched placebo, in a double-blind, crossover manner. Subjects were asked to perform the DS task 4 h post-dosing. Plasma BDNF levels were measured before and after the DS task.

RESULTS

Plasma BDNF levels under the placebo, diazepam, and tandospirone conditions significantly decreased after the DS task compared with before the task. Conversely, no significant differences in plasma BDNF levels were detected under the paroxetine condition.

CONCLUSION

As these three psychotropic drugs have differential effects on plasma BDNF levels under mental stress after 4 h post-dosing, antidepressants, unlike anxiolytics, might have a prompt positive effect on the mental stress response.

Early effect of NEURAPAS® balance on current source density (CSD) of human EEG

Psychiatric patients often suffer from stress, anxiety and depression. Various plant extracts are known to fight stress (valerian), anxiety (passion flower) or depression (St. John's wort). NEURAPAS® balance is a mixture of these three extracts and has been designed to cover this complex of psychiatric conditions. The study was initiated to quantitatively assess the effect of this combination on brain electric activity.

METHOD

Quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) current source density (CSD) recording from 16 healthy male and female human volunteers (average age 49 years) was used in a randomized, placebo-controlled cross over study. Recordings were performed 0. 5, 1. 5, 3 and 4 hours after administration of the preparations under the conditions of 6 min eyes open and 5 min d2 concentration test, mathematical calculation test and memory test, respectively. All variables (electric power within 6 frequency ranges at 17 electrode positions) were fed into a linear discriminant analysis (eyes open condition). In the presence of mental load these variables were used to construct brain maps of frequency changes.

RESULTS

Under the condition of mental load, centro-parietal spectral power remained statistically significantly lower within alpha1, alpha2 and beta1 frequencies in the presence of verum in comparison to placebo. Discriminant analysis revealed a difference to placebo 3 and 4 hours after intake of 6 tablets of NEURAPAS® balance. Data location within the polydimensional space was projected into the area of the effects of sedative and anti-depressive reference drugs tested earlier under identical conditions. Results appeared closer to the effects of fluoxetine than to St. John's wort.

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of the neurophysiological changes following the intake of NEURAPAS® balance revealed a similarity of frequency changes to those of calming and anti-depressive drugs on the EEG without impairment of cognition.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01047605.