Gepirone as a 5-HT1A agonist in the treatment of major depression

Twenty-four patients with major depression were treated in a single-blind design with 25 mg to 75 mg gepirone, a pyrimidinyl piperidinedione analog of buspirone with serotonin1A (5-HT1A) receptor affinity properties. Twenty-four-Item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-(HAM-D) scores decreased by 36 percent when mean baseline scores were compared with an endpoint analysis of 6 weeks' gepirone treatment. Several subjects demonstrated marked improvements over baseline. The data are discussed within the context of 5-HT1A receptor desensitization as a potential component of antidepressant treatment.