Journal of Nippon Medical School: Vol.70 No.4 page.313

Journal of Nippon Medical School

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ArticleTitle Therapeutic Effects of Milnacipran (Serotonin Noradrenalin Reuptake Inhibitor) on Depression Following Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

AuthorList Kouichi Kanetani^{1, 2}, Mahito Kimura¹ and Shunkichi Endo¹

Affiliation ¹Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nippon Medical School
²Matsue Hospital

Language EN

Volume 70

Issue 4

Year 2003

Page 313-320

Received October 17, 2002

Accepted January 14, 2003

Keywords mild and moderate TBI, depression, antidepressant agents, milnacipran

Abstract Background: The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of milnacipran, a serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), for the treatment of depression following mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (MMTBI). While other reports have been published on the use of antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics for the treatment of depression following MMTBI, no previous study has examined the use of a SNRI for this condition.
Methods: A six-week open study was conducted using 10 patients (4 males and 6 females) of ages ranging from 28 to 74 years. DSM-IV (diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th Ed. American psychiatric association, 1994) was used to diagnose mood disorders. The severity of depression was measured with the 21-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D). The cognitive state of the patients was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE).
Results: The maximum daily milnacipran dosage for the patients ranged from 30 to 150 mg. One patient experienced side effects, but none of the side effects were serious. On the basis of having a decrease in a final HAM-D score of more than 50%, the response rate for the nine patients was 66.7%, while in a final score of 7 or less, the remission rate for the nine patients was 44.4%. Furthermore, significantly greater improvement in cognitive function was seen in patients treated with milnacipran.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that milnacipran is a safe and effective drug for depression following mild and moderate TBI and could be the first choice drug for the treatment of this condition.

Correspondence to Kouichi Kanetani, MD, Matsue Hospital, 2-6-15 Matsue, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 132-0025, Japan
kanetani@k6.dion.ac.jp

ArticleTitle	Therapeutic Effects of Milnacipran (Serotonin Noradrenalin Reuptake Inhibitor) on Depression Following Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
AuthorList	Kouichi Kanetani^{1, 2}, Mahito Kimura¹ and Shunkichi Endo¹
Affiliation	¹Department of Neuropsychiatry, Nippon Medical School ²Matsue Hospital
Language	EN
Volume	70
Issue	4
Year	2003
Page	313-320
Received	October 17, 2002
Accepted	January 14, 2003
Keywords	mild and moderate TBI, depression, antidepressant agents, milnacipran
Abstract	Background: The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of milnacipran, a serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), for the treatment of depression following mild and moderate traumatic brain injury (MMTBI). While other reports have been published on the use of antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics for the treatment of depression following MMTBI, no previous study has examined the use of a SNRI for this condition. Methods: A six-week open study was conducted using 10 patients (4 males and 6 females) of ages ranging from 28 to 74 years. DSM-IV (diagnostic statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th Ed. American psychiatric association, 1994) was used to diagnose mood disorders. The severity of depression was measured with the 21-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D). The cognitive state of the patients was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Results: The maximum daily milnacipran dosage for the patients ranged from 30 to 150 mg. One patient experienced side effects, but none of the side effects were serious. On the basis of having a decrease in a final HAM-D score of more than 50%, the response rate for the nine patients was 66.7%, while in a final score of 7 or less, the remission rate for the nine patients was 44.4%. Furthermore, significantly greater improvement in cognitive function was seen in patients treated with milnacipran. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that milnacipran is a safe and effective drug for depression following mild and moderate TBI and could be the first choice drug for the treatment of this condition.
Correspondence to	Kouichi Kanetani, MD, Matsue Hospital, 2-6-15 Matsue, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo 132-0025, Japan kanetani@k6.dion.ac.jp