Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Bhagwagar, Z. Articles by Cowen, P. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Bhagwagar, Z. Articles by Cowen, P. J. Neurotransmitters Antidepressants

Increased Brain GABA Concentrations Following Acute Administration of a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor

OBJECTIVE: The authors used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to assess the effect of acute administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram on cortical levels of -aminobutyric acid (GABA). METHOD: Ten healthy volunteers received either intravenous citalopram (10 mg) or saline in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. The occipital GABA/creatine ratio was measured with a proton MR spectral editing technique. RESULTS: In comparison with saline, citalopram produced a mean increase of 35% in relative brain GABA concentration in the occipital cortex. CONCLUSIONS: These findings extend previous work showing that SSRI treatment increases cortical GABA in depressed patients and suggest that this results from an action of SSRIs on GABA neurons rather than as a secondary consequence of mood improvement.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. D. Golomb, J. R. B. McDavitt, B. M. Ruf, J. I. Chen, A. Saricicek, K. H. Maloney, J. Hu, M. M. Chun, and Z. Bhagwagar Enhanced Visual Motion Perception in Major Depressive Disorder J. Neurosci., July 15, 2009; 29(28): 9072 - 9077. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Taylor, S. Murphy, S. Selvaraj, M. Wylezinkska, P. Jezzard, P. Cowen, and J. Evans Differential effects of citalopram and reboxetine on cortical Glx measured with proton MR spectroscopy J Psychopharmacol, July 1, 2008; 22(5): 473 - 476. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. J. Taylor, N. Freemantle, J. R. Geddes, and Z. Bhagwagar Early Onset of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressant Action: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychiatry, November 1, 2006; 63(11): 1217 - 1223. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us