Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2566651 Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 2006 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

An open-labeled study was conducted to examine the efficacy of selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), milnacipran in treating depression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Eleven patients with AD showing major depressive symptoms were examined. Ten of 11 patients demonstrated an over 50% decrease in their HAM-D scores from the baseline, and 8 of 11 patients reached remission (HAM-D score ≦ 7) within 12 weeks of the start of milnacipran treatment, and their GAF score was also remarkably improved. Although in 11 patients, two patients showed a mild hypomanic state and one patient showed daytime somnolence, these problems were quickly solved after a decrease in the daily dose or discontinuation of milnacipran. In addition, the treatment had no negative effects on cognitive function of the patients. Our study results suggest that milnacipran is a promising medicine for depressive state in AD patients.

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