MOOD IMPROVEMENT IN NORMAL VOLUNTEERS

To test the hypothesis that clomipramine is effective in improving sub threshold non-specific symptoms in subjects without any established ps ychopathology, we conducted a double-blind, cross-over controlled tria l of clomipramine (oral doses of 10-40 mg/day) and propanteline (activ e placebo) for 5 weeks in nine normal volunteers. Four other subjects completed the first part of the trial. These subjects were selected fr om 275 respondents to newspaper and radio requests for subjects who co nsidered themselves as normal but were unhappy about their usual moods . They did not reach cut-off scores in the Self-Report Questionnaire a nd did not meet diagnostic criteria for any lifetime or current ICD-10 or DSM-III-R condition, as assessed by an open psychiatric interview and the Schedules for Clinical Assessment-in Neuropsychiatry. Despite the small sample and the low level of initial symptomatology, both sub jects and observers consistently detected significant improvements wit h clomipramine in a number of assessments of mood, notably decreased i rritability and anxiety. This controlled trial suggests that it is pos sible to improve subclinical complaints through psychopharmacological agents, raises questions about the mechanisms of their action and disc usses their implications.