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Venlafaxine but not bupropion decreases cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in unipolar depression BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY Little, J. T., Ketter, T. A., Mathe, A. A., Frye, M. A., Luckenbaugh, D., Post, R. M. 1999; 45 (3): 285-289

Abstract

While the antidepressants venlafaxine and bupropion are known to have different neurochemical profiles in vitro, their effects on human cerebral metabolism in vivo have not been directly compared.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), serotonin, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were examined in 14 never-hospitalized outpatients with unipolar depression and 10 age-similar healthy controls. Patients received a baseline lumbar puncture (LP), which was repeated after at least 6 weeks of randomized monotherapy with either venlafaxine or bupropion, while controls received only a baseline LP.Patients (n = 9) receiving venlafaxine showed a significant decrease (42%) in their CSF 5-HIAA concentrations after treatment, but no change in other CSF measures. In contrast, patients receiving bupropion (n = 8) showed no change in CSF measures compared to pretreatment values.While the mechanism for this differential effect of venlafaxine remains to be determined, the current study provides confirmation of the different aminergic effects of venlafaxine and bupropion.

View details for Web of Science ID 000078518800007

View details for PubMedID 10023503