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Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 9, No. 2, 127-135 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/026988119500900207

A comparison of augmenting central serotonin and noradrenaline function in healthy subjects: implications for studies on the neurochemistry of anxiety

Luiz Dratcu

Clinical Psychopharmacology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, 4, Windsor Walk, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF

James W. Keating

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK

Roy Sherwood

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK

Malcolm Lader

Clinical Psychopharmacology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, 4, Windsor Walk, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF

Biochemical and psychophysiological effects of augmenting serotonergic and noradrenergic function were compared in 12 normal volunteers. Fluvoxamine (100 mg), a serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake inhibitor, maprotiline (75 mg), a noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor, and placebo were given for 7 days each to each subject. Subjects were tested pre-drug on days 1, 4 and 8 of each treatment. Catecholamines in 24 h urine, 'platelet-rich' plasma 5-HT and hormones, EEG, auditory evoked response, skin conductance, and bodily and psychological responses were monitored. Augmentation of central 5-HT by fluvoxamine was demonstrated by the decrease of 5-HT plasma levels. Fluvoxamine also reduced urinary dopamine, indicating a decrease in dopamine metabolism in response to augmentation of 5-HT function. Decrease in pulse rate, loss of appetite and a mild arousing effect were also detected with administration of fluvoxamine. Thus, further investigations on the neuro chemistry of anxiety disorders should include the study of mechanisms of interaction of neurotransmitters.

Key Words: anxiety • dopamine • neurochemistry • noradrenaline • serotonin


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