Download PDF
Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36(2): 57-60
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-39040
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Current Perception Thresholds of Patients with Long-term Administration of Maprotiline

A. Kudoh1 , H. Katagai1 , T. Takazawa1
  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Hirosaki National Hospital, Hirosaki, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 8.5.2001 Revised: 6.5.2002

Accepted: 30.5.2002

Publication Date:
06 May 2003 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sensory nerve function using current perception thresholds (CPTs) in patients who were administrated maprotiline. Twelve patients with post-herpetic neuralgia and 20 control subjects were studied. The patients with post-herpetic neuralgia were given a daily dose of 60 mg of maprotiline and were maintained at the same dose for 6 months. Twenty control subjects were randomly selected from healthy volunteers. ACPT test was used for quantitative assessment of A β, A σ, and C fiber transmission, which are associated with pain, by three (2000, 250, and 5 Hz) different frequencies of electric stimulation. CPTs of 5, 250, and 2000 Hz in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia 2 months after administration of maprotiline were 141.7 ± 17.3 for 5 Hz, 120.8 ± 12.9 for 250 Hz, and 256.4 ± 18.0 for 2000 Hz, which were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those (67.0 ± 9.1 for 5 Hz, 73.4 ± 7.0 for 250 Hz, and 191.3 ± 20.2 for 2000 Hz) before treatment and than those (35.3 ± 15.8, 62.0 ± 18.9, and 198.9 ± 15.8) of control subjects. An increase in CPT for 5 Hz at 2 months after administration of maprotiline correlated (r = 0.71, p = 0.01) with a decrease in pain score. There were no correlations between an increase in CPT and changes in Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) values until 3 months after maprotiline treatment. However, we found that an increase in CPT for 5 Hz at 6 months after maprotiline treatment correlated (r = 0.68, p = 0.015) with a decrease in HAMD values. In conclusion, administration of 60 mg maprotiline significantly increased current perception thresholds at 2 months after the administration.

Key words

Pain - Current perception threshold - Depressed patients - Maprotiline

References

  • 1 Coccaro E F, Siever L J. Second generation antidepressants: a comparative review.  J Clin Pharmacol. 1985;  25 241-260
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Davis J L, Lewis S B, Gerich J E, Kaplan R A, Schultz T A, Walling J D. Peripheral diabetic neuropathy treated with amitriptyline and fluphenazine.  J Amer Med Ass. 1977;  238 2291-2292
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 De Zwaan M, Biener D, Bach M, Wiesnagrotzki S, Stacher G. Pain sensitivity, alexithymia and depression in patients with eating disorders: are they related?.  J Psychosom Res. 1996;  41 65-70
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Evans E R, Rendell M S, Bartek J P, Bamisedun O, Connor S, Giitter M. Current perception thresholds in aging.  Age and Aging. 1992;  21 273-279
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Harati Y. Diabetic peripheral neuropathies.  Ann Intern Med. 1987;  107 546-559
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Jenkyn L R, Reeves A G. Neurologic signs in uncomplicated aging (senescence).  Semin Neurol. 1981;  1 21-30
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Katims J J, Naviasky E, Ng L KY, Rendell M, Bleecker M. A new screening device for the assessment of peripheral neuropathy.  J Occup Med. 1986;  28 1219-1221
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 Korzeniewska R I, Plaznik A. Analgesic effect of antidepressant drugs.  Pharmacol Biochem Behave. 1998;  59 331-338
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Lindblom U, Tegner R. Thermal sensitivity in uremic neuropathy.  Acta Neur Scand. 1985;  71 290-294
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Max M B, Kishore-Kumar R, Schafer SC; Meister B, Gracely R H, Smoller B, Dubner R. Efficacy of desipramine in painful diabetic neuropathy: a placebo-controlled trial.  Pain. 1991;  45 3-9
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Pilowsky I, Hallett E C, Basset D L, Thomas P G, Penhall R K. A controlled study of amitriptyline in the treatment of chronic pain.  Pain. 1982;  14 169-179
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Philipp M, Fickinger M. Psychotropic drugs in the management of chronic pain syndromes.  Pharmacopsychiatry. 1993;  26 221-234
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Sindrup S H, Gram L F, Brosen K. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor peroxetine is effective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy symptoms.  Pain. 1990;  42 135-144
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Tura B, Tura S M. The analgesic effect of tricyclic antidepressants.  Brain Res. 1990;  518 19-22
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Verdu E, Buti M, Navarro X. Functional changes of the peripheral nervous system with aging in the mouse.  Neurobiol Aging. 1996;  17 73-7
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Watson C P, Chipman M, Reed K, Evans R J, Birkett N. Amitriptyline versus maprotiline in postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial.  Pain. 1992;  48 29-36
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Akira Kudoh, M.D.

Department of Anesthesiology

Hirosaki National Hospital

1 Tominocho

Hirosaki 036-8545

Aomori

Japan

Phone: 81-172-33-5111

Fax: 81-172-39-5112