Bashkim Kadriu, Shiwen Yuan, Cristan Farmer, Allison C Nugent, Marc S Lener, Mark J Niciu, Minkyung Park, Aaron Yazdian, Elizabeth D Ballard, Fritz A Henn, Ioline D Henter, Lawrence T Park, Carlos A Zarate
BACKGROUND: Some glutamatergic modulators have demonstrated rapid and relatively sustained antidepressant properties in patients with major depressive disorder. Because the potassium channel activator diazoxide increases glutamate uptake via potassium channel activation, we hypothesized that it might exert antidepressant effects by increasing the removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft, thereby reducing excessive glutamate transmission. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, single-site inpatient clinical study was conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health to assess the efficacy and safety of a 3-week course of diazoxide (200-400 mg daily, twice a day) versus a 3-week course of placebo in 6 participants with treatment-refractory major depressive disorder...
June 2018: Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology