MIRTAZAPINE IN RECURRENT BRIEF DEPRESSION

Recurrent brief depression (RBD) has a high prevalence in the general population (approximately 10%). At present, data on the treatment of R BD are sparse. Results of treatment studies with selective serotonin r euptake inhibitors (fluoxetine, paroxetine) did not demonstrate superi ority of the active drug over placebo in RBD. We report about two pati ents with RBD treated with mirtazapine over a period of 4 months. Mirt azapine is a noradrenergic with specific selective serotoninergic anti depressant. Patients had to keep a diary in order to document psychopa thological symptoms of major depression according to DSM-IV. We showed a marked reduction of severity, duration and frequency of brief depre ssive episodes in two patients with RBD treated with 30 mg mirtazapine over a period of 4 months. Mirtazapine enhances serotonergic as well as noradrenergic neurotransmission. This dual mechanism of action may be necessary to improve RBD. Consequently, mirtazapine might be a trea tment option for patients with RBD. However, our preliminary observati ons need to be substantiated in controlled studies. (C) 1998 Rapid Sci ence Ltd.