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.

[Multidisciplinary approach to depression. Preliminary results].

In the present study, clinical interview, Visual Evoked Potentials, psychological tests, TRH test, plasmatic MHPG dosage were investigated in 30 depressed patients with major depressive disorders. All the explorations were realised before and after 28 days of an antidepressant treatment. Thanks to analysis we found out the value of psychological tests.