BACLOFEN ADMINISTRATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF AFFECTIVE-DISORDERS IN ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS

Ninety alcoholic patients with the secondary affective disorders (anxi ety, depression) were divided into four groups. Patients in the first group received GABA(B) receptor ligands (baclofen), those in the secon d group, diazepam, those in the third group, amitriptyline and those i n the fourth group, placebo. The results of clinical, psychological (t ests of Spielberger, Zung and MMPI), and electrophysiological (supersl ow omega-potential) investigations showed that baclofen is an effectiv e drug for affective disturbances in alcoholic patients, with efficacy superior to placebo and equal to diazepam and amitriptyline. At the s ame time baclofen does not have the side-effects and complications of the latter. Significant changes in platelet MAO(B) activity and the do pamine, serotonin and GABA concentrations in blood after treatment wer e not found in the four patient groups. The peripheral matabolism of G ABA and monoamines do not seem to be related to the development of sec ondary affective disorders in alcoholic patients. This investigation e ncourages the search for drugs acting on.the affective psychopathology of GABA(B) receptor ligands.