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Pharmacotherapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder
1College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York 10032.
L'Encephale
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, is a promising treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), significantly improving symptoms in many patients. Chronic clomipramine treatment may help correct serotonin imbalances implicated in OCD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and often refractory condition.
- Various medications have been explored for OCD treatment.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, particularly clomipramine, have shown promise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of clomipramine in treating OCD.
- To investigate the role of serotonin dysregulation in OCD.
- To assess the impact of chronic antidepressant treatment on OCD symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of seven controlled clomipramine studies involving 106 patients.
- Analysis of double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
- Examination of the effects of m-chlorophenyl piperazine (m-CPP) on OCD symptoms.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of patients showed significant improvement in OCD symptoms with clomipramine.
- Clomipramine demonstrated greater efficacy than other antidepressants in controlled studies.
- Acute administration of m-CPP increased obsessions, an effect diminished by chronic clomipramine or fluoxetine treatment.
Conclusions:
- Clomipramine is an effective treatment for OCD, outperforming other antidepressants.
- Chronic treatment with clomipramine or fluoxetine may normalize serotonin dysregulation in OCD patients.
- Findings suggest a role for serotonin system correction in managing OCD.
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