NIMODIPINE INCREASES CSF SOMATOSTATIN IN AFFECTIVELY ILL PATIENTS

Preliminary evidence suggests that nimodipine, an L-type calcium chann el blocker, is effective in treating some patients with rapidly cyclin g affective disorders and some phases of Alzheimer's disease, i.e., tw o syndromes associated with transient or permanent reductions in cereb rospinal fluid (CSF) somatostatin, respectively. CSF somatostatin (SRI F) was measured in 14 affectively ill patients while they were medicat ion-free and during chronic nimodipine treatment. CSF somatostatin sig nificantly increased in patients during active nimodipine treatment co mpared with ones in the medication-free state. The current findings ra ise the possibility that nimodipine-induced increases in CSF somatosta tin could potentially contribute to its spectrum of efficacy on neurop sychiatric disorders associated with cognitive or affective impairment . Further clinical and preclinical studies are indicated to elucidate the potential mechanisms involved in the elevation of CSF SRIF, whethe r if is reflected in regional changes in brain, and its possible relev ance to nimodipine's clinical actions.