Biomedical subjects

V R Lingam

Publications and source records attributed to V R Lingam.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Methylphenidate and nortriptyline in the treatment of poststroke depression: a retrospective comparison.

The hospital charts of elderly stroke patients with major depression, as determined by DSM-III-R criteria, who were treated with either methylphenidate (n = 28) or nortriptyline (n = 30) were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-three percent of the methylphenidate patients experienced complete remission of depressive symptoms. Similarly, 43% of the patients in the nortriptyline group showed remission of depressive symptomatology. Whereas the response rates between the two treatment groups were not significantly different in the patients who did respond to treatment (chi 2 = .608, df = 1, p = NS), the speed of response was significantly better in the methylphenidate group (t[13] = 15.9, p < .001). The average peak response time for the methylphenidate patients was 2.4 days compared to 27 days for the nortriptyline group. This finding is consistent with previous reports suggesting a rapid response to methylphenidate and other psychostimulants, typically between 24 and 72 hours. Adverse side effects, such as cardiac changes, did not differ between groups, generally falling in the mild range of severity. These data suggest that the rapid effects of methylphenidate may be especially useful to speed recovery from depression so that patients can participate more fully in rehabilitation programs.

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PubMed1992

Efficacy and side effects of methylphenidate for poststroke depression.

BACKGROUND: Depression after stroke impedes the rehabilitation process and causes additional suffering to patient and family. Few studies have systematically examined pharmacologic treatments of poststroke depression. In the present paper, the use of the stimulant methylphenidate is studied in a depressed, elderly stroke population. METHOD: Ten subjects (mean age = 73.2 years) meeting DSM-III-R criteria for major depression were followed-up during a 3-week efficacy and side effect trial involving methylphenidate. Subjects were selected from rehabilitation patients referred for psychiatric consultation. RESULTS: A total of 80% (8 of 10) of the subjects showed either a full or partial response as measured by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores. The incidence of problematic side effects was low, and no subjects had to be discontinued from the study. CONCLUSION: Results of this methylphenidate trial for poststroke depression in elderly patients suggest that it is a safe and effective treatment for poststroke depression. Future studies are called for in which methylphenidate is compared with placebo controls and antidepressant medication.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988

Methylphenidate in treating poststroke depression.

The authors retrospectively studied the charts of 25 patients with poststroke depression who were treated with methylphenidate. The 13 patients (52%) who recovered completely from their depression did not differ significantly from the 12 nonresponders on demographic characteristics, location of cerebrovascular accident, and other variables. Mood usually improved within 48 hours; only 3 (12%) patients had side effects. Rapid response to treatment and lack of significant side effects indicate that methylphenidate may be a valuable treatment for poststroke depression.

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