Pilot-controlled trial of D-cycloserine for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Abstract

Dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission may be relevant to the pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that PTSD symptoms could be alleviated following enhancement of neurotransmission mediated at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors. Eleven patients with chronic PTSD participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial with 50 mg/d D-cycloserine which acts as a partial agonist at the glycine regulatory site on the NMDA receptor. D-cycloserine treatment resulted in significant improvements in numbing, avoidance, and anxiety symptoms; however, similar effects were also observed during placebo treatment. In addition, D-cycloserine treatment resulted in a significant (p=0.03), reduction in the perseverative error scores as measured by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. This pilot study is the first to assess the efficacy of a NMDA receptor modulator for PTSD treatment and its results warrant further, larger-scale investigation.

• Authors: Uriel Heresco-Levy, Ilana Kremer, Daniel C Javitt, Rodica Goichman, Alon Reshef, Monica Blanaru, Tamar Cohen
• Journal: The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology (Int J Neuropsychopharmacol) Vol. 5 Issue 4 Pg. 301-7 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 1461-1457 [Print] England
• PMID: 12466030 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibiotics, Antitubercular
• Receptors, Glycine
• Cycloserine

Topics

• Adult
• Antibiotics, Antitubercular (therapeutic use)
• Chronic Disease
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Cycloserine (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Receptors, Glycine (agonists)
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (drug therapy, psychology)