Chemical Business NewsBase (Composite) via NewsEdge Corporation :

New data show the investigational therapy tetrabenazine may be a safe and viable treatment option for patients with hyperkinetic movement disorders who have a prior history of depression, according to research presented at the 9th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders in New Orleans. Previous studies have demonstrated that tetrabenazine, a dopamine depleter that works by selectively blocking vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), improves the symptoms associated with a number of hyperkinetic movement disorders. One objective of the retrospective analysis was to provide data on the potential relationship between pre-existing depression and subsequent use of tetrabenazine. A total of 518 medical charts were reviewed for men and women aged 3-87 years treated with tetrabenazine at Baylor College of Medicine. Responses were assessed using a previously published response scale. Prior to initiation of tetrabenazine treatment, 272 patients had a documented history of depression and/or prior treatment with antidepressant therapy. Results of the retrospective analysis showed that the percentage of patients who discontinued treatment was not statistically different in patients with a prior history of depression (3.3%) and those with no prior history of depression (2.8%). The majority of treated patients experienced marked improvement in their movement disorders. The mean duration of treatment was 29.7 months and the mean dosage was 62 mg/day. During tetrabenazine treatment, 50 patients had an exacerbation of their depression or required a change in antidepressant and 28 patients experienced depression for the first time. A total of 16 patients discontinued treatment due to an adverse event of depression. Prestwick Pharmaceuticals Inc is an emerging speciality pharmaceutical company that focuses on treatments for CNS disorders.

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