Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Kindling Mouse Model
Published on: June 12, 2018
Mechanism of imipenem-induced mental disorder: A meta-analysis
Zhou-Hong Zhan1, Jia-Liang Wang2, Li-Hong Wang2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China. 15957500132@163.com.
Background:
Imipenem is a highly effective carbapenem antibiotic, which is widely used in the treatment of many serious bacterial infections. At the same time, it can also cause some adverse reactions, mental abnormalities are the most concerned central nervous system adverse reactions. Different patients respond differently to imipenem, and the effect of imipenem on psychiatric disorders is unclear. Therefore, meta-analysis summarizing the results of multiple previous studies can provide stronger evidence support for clinical guidelines to guide clinical rational use of imipenem to minimize risks.
Aim:
To systematically review the effects of imipenem on mental-health disorders.
Methods:
Method in Cochrane Library, Web of science, PubMed, ProQuest, and China's biomedical literature databases Wanfang, Weipu and China HowNet, the related literatures about the controlled trials of imipenem-induced mental disorders from the establishment of the database to May 2024 were searched; the included literatures were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software; and the heterogeneity among the studies was also discussed.
Results:
After reviewing the literature published between 2003 and 2017, seven controlled trials with a total of 550 patients were included, with 273 and 277 patients in the control and experimental groups, respectively. The sample size of the study ranged from a minimum of 30 cases to a maximum of 61 cases. Patients in the experimental group were treated with imipenem while the control group was treated with conventional drugs. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of mental disorders in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (odds ratio = 3.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-12.11, P = 0.030); however, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (odds ratio = 0.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.00 to 0.10, P = 0.060). Funnel diagrams showed that the scattered points of each study were symmetrical and distributed in an inverted funnel shape; therefore, there was no publication bias.
Conclusion:
Imipenem can cause mental disorders in patients. However, the low quality of the included literature may have affected the final results. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a high-quality randomized controlled study with multiple samples to further confirm the mechanism of imipenem-induced mental disorders and provide effective guidance for clinical treatment.
Insights
Imipenem, a carbapenem antibiotic, is linked to a higher incidence of mental disorders in patients. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and guide clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Imipenem is a critical carbapenem antibiotic for severe bacterial infections.
- Central nervous system adverse reactions, including mental abnormalities, are a concern with imipenem use.
- The precise impact of imipenem on psychiatric disorders requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze the effects of imipenem on mental-health disorders.
- To provide evidence-based insights for the rational clinical application of imipenem.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Wanfang, Weipu, China HowNet) up to May 2024.
- Seven controlled trials published between 2003 and 2017, involving 550 patients, were included in the meta-analysis.
- RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis, with heterogeneity and publication bias assessed.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of mental disorders in patients treated with imipenem compared to controls (OR = 3.66, P = 0.030).
- No significant difference in the overall incidence of adverse reactions was observed between the imipenem and control groups (OR = 0.05, P = 0.060).
- Funnel plot analysis indicated no significant publication bias across the included studies.
Conclusions:
- Imipenem administration is associated with an increased risk of inducing mental disorders.
- The quality of the existing literature may limit the definitive conclusions.
- High-quality, multi-sample randomized controlled trials are essential to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
