Agomelatine beyond Borders: Current Evidences of Its Efficacy in Disorders Other than Major Depression

Agomelatine, a melatonergic antidepressant with a rapid onset of action, is one of the most recent drugs in the antidepressant category. Agomelatine’s antidepressant actions are attributed to its sleep-promoting and chronobiotic actions mediated by MT1 and MT2 receptors present in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, as well as to its effects on the blockade of 5-HT2c receptors. Blockade of 5-HT2c receptors causes release of both noradrenaline and dopamine at the fronto-cortical dopaminergic and noradrenergic pathways. The combined actions of agomelatine on MT1/MT2 and 5-HT2c receptors facilitate the resynchronization of altered circadian rhythms and abnormal sleep patterns. Agomelatine appeared to be effective in treating major depression. Moreover, evidence exists that points out a possible efficacy of such drug in the treatment of bipolar depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol dependence, migraines etc. Thus, the aim of this narrative review was to elucidate current evidences on the role of agomelatine in disorders other than major depression.     

Surface and Interaction Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Polymers and their Miscibility with Thermoplastic Hosts

Inverse gas chromatographic measurements have shown that the surface of thermo-tropic liquid crystal polymers, (TLCP), are capable of mainly dispersion force (L/W) interactions, with only slight contributions from non-dispersion (acid-base) forces. Structural moieties capable of non-dispersive interactions are primarily oriented into the TLCP bulk, perhaps accounting for the self-assembly effects in these polymers. Moreover, nondispersive surface forces were found to be thermolabile, so that above characteristic temperatures only L/W forces remain. Blends of TLCP with polycarbonate and polyetherimide hosts prepared below the characteristic temperatures displayed morphology typical of immiscible blends. When prepared at, and quenched from, temperatures above the pertinent characteristic value, electron micrographs showed evidence of adhesion at matrix/TLCP contacts, simulating the behavior of more miscible systems.     

Conditioned placebo responses.

Four groups of 8 Ss (aged 19–34 yrs) were told that they would be used to test a powerful new analgesic cream (actually a placebo) over 3 sessions in which they would assess the cream's ability to reduce experimentally induced pain. In Session 1, all Ss were tested with and without the cream to assess their placebo response. In Session 2, to condition 2 groups (with differing stimulation levels) to experience pain relief in response to the placebo, a reduction on nociceptive stimulation was repeatedly paired with placebo administration. Ss were unaware that stimulation levels were manipulated. To condition the other 2 groups (with different stimulation levels) to experience exacerbation of pain, an increase in nociceptive stimulation was paired with placebo administration. In Session 3, all Ss were again tested for placebo response. Results suggest that placebo responses are conditionable in the laboratory in both a positive and negative direction. Clinical implications of a learning theory of placebo behavior are discussed. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)