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Reboxetine, a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, is non‐sedative and does not impair psychomotor performance in healthy subjects
Author(s) -
Herrmann Werner M.,
Fuder Hermann
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1077(199808)13:6<425::aid-hup17>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - reboxetine , imipramine , placebo , vigilance (psychology) , psychology , pharmacology , tianeptine , flicker fusion threshold , anesthesia , antidepressant , medicine , reuptake inhibitor , psychiatry , neuroscience , anxiety , alternative medicine , pathology , electrical engineering , flicker , engineering
A double‐blind, randomized, four‐way crossover study was performed to assess the CNS effects of reboxetine, a unique selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NRI). Eighteen volunteers received reboxetine (1 or 3 mg), imipramine (75 mg) or placebo at weekly intervals. Pharmaco‐electroencephalography was recorded under high‐ and low‐vigilance conditions and spectral difference index, total power and alpha slow‐wave index (ASI) were calculated. In addition, skilled performance on psychometric tests and well‐being were assessed. Absolute and relative power were relatively unaffected by reboxetine but increased by imipramine. Total power and ASI were unaffected or slightly increased by reboxetine, but reduced by imipramine. Reboxetine and imipramine decreased fronto‐central θ and fast β power. In pharmaco‐electroencephalography, imipramine showed a left shift in the occipito‐temporal lead, with an increase in δ and θ and a decrease in α power. Reboxetine increased α power. Following reboxetine administration, the results in performance tests either did not differ from placebo or were better (Pegboard test). After imipramine, a deterioration in the Steadiness and Pauli test occurred. Critical flicker fusion and Vienna test results were unaltered by either drug. In summary, reboxetine, unlike the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine, has no sedative effects of electroencephalography or on any behavioural variable indicative of a decline in vigilance. Furthermore, reboxetine showed a vigilance‐enhancing effect. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.