Cited by 177Treatment of Major DepressionNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Riluzole in the Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Pittenger, Christopher, Coric, Vladimir, Banasr, Mounira, Bloch, Michael, Krystal, John H, Sanacora, Gerard·2008·CNS Drugs

Abstract

Recent advances implicate amino acid neurotransmission in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. Riluzole, which is approved and marketed for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is thought to be neuroprotective through its modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission. Riluzole has multiple molecular actions in vitro; the two that have been documented to occur at physiologically realistic drug concentrations and are therefore most likely to be clinically relevant are inhibition of certain voltage-gated sodium channels, which can lead to reduced neurotransmitter release, and enhanced astrocytic uptake of extracellular glutamate.Although double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are lacking, several open-label trials have suggested that riluzole, either as monotherapy or as augmentation of standard therapy, reduces symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, unipolar and bipolar depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. In studies of psychiatrically ill patients conducted to date, the drug has been quite well tolerated; common adverse effects include nausea and sedation. Elevation of liver function tests is common and necessitates periodic monitoring, but has been without clinical consequence in studies conducted to date in psychiatric populations. Case reports suggest utility in other conditions, including trichotillomania and self-injurious behaviour associated with borderline personality disorder. Riluzole may hold promise for the treatment of several psychiatric conditions, possibly through its ability to modulate pathologically dysregulated glutamate levels, and merits further investigation.

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Crossref · 10.2165/00023210-200822090-00004

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Authors
Pittenger, C., Coric, V., Banasr, M., Bloch, M., Krystal, J. H., & Sanacora, G.
Affiliations
Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
Pittenger, Christopher
Venue
CNS Drugs
Published
2008
Volume
22
Issue
9
Pages
761-786
ISSN
1172-7047 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1967308562
Cited by
177
References
205
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 13
FWCI
1.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • CNS Drugs (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (T32 MH 19961, T32MH019961)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
riluzole, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, glutamatergic neurotransmission, voltage-gated sodium channel inhibition, neuroprotection, trichotillomania, self-harm, borderline personality disorder, drug tolerability, liver function monitoring
MeSH terms
Animals, Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Models, Biological, Nervous System Diseases, Receptors, Glutamate, Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists, Riluzole, Mood Disorders

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