Remarkable effect of selegiline (L-deprenyl), a selective monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor, in a patient with severe refractory depression: a case report.

Abstract

A 34-year-old man presented with severe refractory depression. He had failed to respond to various antidepressants, augmentation therapy with lithium carbonate, and modified electroconvulsive therapy. Switching from amoxapine 150 mg/day to selegiline 7.5 mg/day, a selective monoamine oxidase type-B inhibitor, produced a dramatic reduction in hypobulia and lassitude, leading to a complete remission of all depressive symptoms. The patient reverted to his former position at work after an interval of approximately 3 years. Although the biologic basis of the antidepressant effect of selegiline in this patient is unknown, it is suggested that the enhancement of dopaminergic neurotransmission or elevation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in the brain by administration of selegiline is involved in the recovery of this patient from severe refractory depression. This report indicates the antidepressant effect of selegiline in a refractory depressed patient.

• Authors: Hisashi Higuchi, Mitsuhiro Kamata, Yuka Sugawara, Keizo Yoshida
• Journal: Clinical neuropharmacology (Clin Neuropharmacol) 2005 Jul-Aug Vol. 28 Issue 4 Pg. 191-2 ISSN: 0362-5664 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16062100 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
• Selegiline
• Monoamine Oxidase

Topics

• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy, psychology)
• Drug Resistance
• Humans
• Male
• Monoamine Oxidase (metabolism)
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Selegiline (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Suicide (psychology)