Possible use of amantadine in depression

Amantadine, originally used in the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza i nfection, has also proved beneficial in drug-induced Parkinsonism, Parkinso n's disease, traumatic head injury, dementia, multiple sclerosis and cocain e withdrawal. Amantadine appears to act through several pharmacological mec hanisms, none of which has been identified as the one chief mode of action. It is a dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic substance, blocks mon oaminoxidase A and NMDA receptors, and seems to raise beta-endorphin/beta-l ipotropin levels. However, it is still uncertain which of these actions are relevant in therapeutic doses. One new aspect is the antiviral effect of a mantadine on Borna disease virus, which it is suspected may possibly play a role in affective disorders. All of these actions could constitute an anti depressant property, and it is suggested that amantadine might work as an a ntidepressant not through one, but through several mechanisms thought to be related to antidepressant activity. Effects of amantadine on symptoms of a ffective disorders have been demonstrated in several trials administering i t for varying purposes. Additionally, animal studies as well as clinical tr ials in humans have hinted at an antidepressant activity of amantadine. We present here an overview of the current data. However, only a limited body of evidence is available, and further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of amantadine as well as its modes of action in depression.