Reboxetine, a unique selective NRI, prevents relapse and recurrence in long-term treatment of major depressive disorder.

Background: The long-term efficacy and tolerability of the antidepressant reboxetine, a unique selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (selective NRI), were assessed in an international study.

Method: Two hundred eighty-three patients with recurrent DSM-III-R major depression who responded to 6 weeks of reboxetine treatment (> or =50% decrease in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D] total score) were randomly assigned to receive reboxetine or placebo for 46 weeks in a double-blind phase. Relapse (> or =50% increase in HAM-D total score and/or a HAM-D total score > or =18) rate was the principal assessment criterion and included patients who experienced relapse or recurrence.

The effect of succinic semialdehyde and sodium succinate on the higher nervous activity in normal subjects.

In 15 normal volunteers the action of succinic semialdehyde (SSA), and in 24 volunteers the effect of sodium succinate (SS), on the HNA have been investigated. As a result it was found that SSA brings about some enhancement of the excitatory process in cortical - mainly verbal -activities, accompanied by subjective improvement of memory and concentration. In the other hand, the administration of SS improves the stability of cortical excitatory process and its equilibrium with cortical inhibition; and enhances the connecting activity of the verbal system.