Neuropsychobiology
Pharmacopsychiatry
Original Paper
Single-Blind, Placebo Phase-in Trial of Two Escalating Doses of Selegiline in the Chronic Fatigue SyndromeNatelson B.H.a · Cheu J.a · Hill N.a · Bergen M.a · Korn L.a · Denny T.b · Dahl K.aCFS Center and Departments of a Neurosciences and b Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, N.J., USA
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: April 18, 1998
Issue release date: April 1998
Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 1
ISSN: 0302-282X (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0224 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/NPS
Abstract
Aim: To perform a clinical trial of selegiline in 25 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) where patients were told they would receive placebo or active agent at different times during the 6-week trial. We chose selegiline, a specific monoamine oxidase (MAO) B receptor inhibitor, because a prior trial of low-dose phenelzine, a nonspecific MAO inhibitor, showed a small but significant therapeutic effect. Methods: Questionnaires comprised of 19 tests of mood, fatigue, functional status and symptom severity were collected at the start and end of the trial as well as 2 weeks after its start. The trial was done in three 2-week blocks: in the first, 2 placebo pills were given per day; in the next, one 5-mg tablet of agent and one placebo were given per day, and in the last, a 5-mg tablet of agent was given twice a day. The plan was to compare the changes in the 19 tests during the placebo phase to those found in the active treatment phase in 19 patients completing the trial. Findings: Significant improvement in 3 variables – tension/anxiety, vigor and sexual relations – was found. A significant pattern of improvement compared to worsening was found for the 19 self-report vehicles during active treatment as compared with placebo treatment. Evidence for an antidepressant effect of the drug was not found. Conclusions: Selegiline has a small but significant therapeutic effect in CFS which appears independent of an antidepressant effect.
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Article / Publication Details
Published online: April 18, 1998
Issue release date: April 1998
Number of Print Pages: 5
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 1
ISSN: 0302-282X (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0224 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/NPS
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
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