A randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial of the delta opioid receptor agonist AZD2327 in anxious depression.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Patients with anxious major depressive disorder (AMDD) have more severe symptoms and poorer treatment response than patients with non-AMDD. Increasing evidence implicates the endogenous opioid system in the pathophysiology of depression. AZD2327 is a selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) agonist with anxiolytic and antidepressant activity in animal models.

Objective

This double-blind, parallel group design, placebo-controlled pilot study evaluated the safety and efficacy of AZD2327 in a preclinical model and in patients with AMDD.

Methods

We initially tested the effects of AZD2327 in an animal model of AMDD. Subsequently, 22 subjects with AMDD were randomized to receive AZD2327 (3 mg BID) or placebo for 4 weeks. Primary outcome measures included the Hamilton

SUBMITTER: Richards EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5103283 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature