Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 1, 2025

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior
05:42

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

38.6K

Colchicine-Resistant Familial Mediterranean Fever With Depressive State Successfully Treated With Escitalopram

Masamitsu Toshida1, Yuki Konishi1, Atsuko Ikenouchi1

  • 1Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN.

Cureus
|June 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease. Adding escitalopram to colchicine improved symptoms in a colchicine-resistant FMF patient, suggesting a new treatment approach.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary autoinflammatory disorder linked to the MEFV gene.
  • Characterized by recurrent fever and serositis, FMF is typically managed with colchicine to prevent attacks.

Observation:

  • A 64-year-old male patient with FMF exhibited resistance to colchicine treatment.
  • He also presented with significant depressive symptoms.

Findings:

  • Co-administration of escitalopram with colchicine led to a marked improvement in FMF symptoms, including fever and abdominal pain.
  • The patient's depressive symptoms also resolved with the combined treatment.

Implications:

  • This case suggests that combining escitalopram with colchicine is a potential therapeutic strategy for colchicine-resistant FMF.
  • Potential mechanisms involve modulation of cytokines, ABCB1 transporter activity, and serotonin pathways.
Keywords:
colchicinedepressive stateescitalopramfamilial mediterranean feverprednisolone

More Related Videos

Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram12:21

Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram

Published on: November 27, 2016

15.3K
The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice07:13

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice

Published on: October 24, 2018

18.0K

Related Concept Videos

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents01:23

Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents

Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
521
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview01:25

Antidepressant Drugs: Overview

Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...
993
Electroconvulsive Therapy01:30

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
323
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs01:28

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
863
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
205
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
273