A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Discontinuation of citalopram medication and striatal dopamine activity
Authors: Salokangas RKR, Huttunen J, Hietala J
Publisher: INFORMA HEALTHCARE
Publication year: 2006
Journal: International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
Journal name in source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Journal acronym: INT J PSYCHIAT CLIN
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
First page : 300
Last page: 302
Number of pages: 3
ISSN: 1365-1501
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13651500600736692
Abstract
A 35-year-old caucasian woman who suffered from major depression with marked psychomotor symptoms was treated with a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram. After 16 months successful treatment, the medication was gradually discontinued. One week after stopping citalopram, she experienced lowered mood and unnatural slowness in her movements. These symptoms were associated with low striatal dopamine (DA) activity as measured with baseline and follow-up [F-18] DOPA PET scans. We suggest that stimulation of serotonergic system in the brain increases dopaminergic activity in the striatum. After cessation of this stimulation, striatal dopaminergic activity may decrease considerably in vulnerable patients and cause transient emotional and psychomotor discontinuation symptoms that disappear spontaneously in a few weeks.
A 35-year-old caucasian woman who suffered from major depression with marked psychomotor symptoms was treated with a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram. After 16 months successful treatment, the medication was gradually discontinued. One week after stopping citalopram, she experienced lowered mood and unnatural slowness in her movements. These symptoms were associated with low striatal dopamine (DA) activity as measured with baseline and follow-up [F-18] DOPA PET scans. We suggest that stimulation of serotonergic system in the brain increases dopaminergic activity in the striatum. After cessation of this stimulation, striatal dopaminergic activity may decrease considerably in vulnerable patients and cause transient emotional and psychomotor discontinuation symptoms that disappear spontaneously in a few weeks.
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