SERTRALINE INDUCED PARKINSONIM - A CASE-REPORT AND AN IN-VIVO STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF SERTRALINE ON DOPAMINE METABOLISM

We report a patient with a parkinsonian syndrome induced by sertraline (Zoloft(R)), an SSRI antidepressant, whose symptoms resolved after th e drug was discontinued. This case prompted us to investigate the effe ct of sertraline on dopamine metabolism in animals. Sertraline (30mg/k g, IP) or placebo (vehicle) was administered to two groups of six norm al, anesthetized rats and using cerebral microdyalisis extracellular s triatal levels of dopamine, the dopamine metabolites (HVA and DOPAC), as well as the serotonin metabolite 5-HIIA were monitored. In animals pre-treated with sertraline, DOPAC, HVA, and 5-HIAA levels were signif icantly decreased compared to control animals (p < 0.01). These data i ndicate that sertraline has an effect on dopamine metabolism, which ma y alter function in the striatum and induce a parkinsonian syndrome.