org-2766 and Depressive-Disorder

Twenty-one depressive patients (7 males, 14 females, mean age 61.6, range 50-72) participated in an inter- and intraindividual double-blind comparative study between the ACTH 4-9 analogue (ORG 2766), 80 mg daily during 14-28 days, and placebo. The temporal thresholds for detection and recognition of rapidly presented single letters were assessed by a tachistoscopic technique. The results indicate that the peptide has a reducing effect on recognition threshold, and appears to improve automatic, preattentive levels of information processing possibly involved in the transfer of information from the peripheral icon to the cortical centre, i.e. from iconic storage to short-term memory.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Aged; Antidepressive Agents; Cognition; Depressive Disorder; Female; Humans; Male; Memory, Short-Term; Mental Processes; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments; Reaction Time; Visual Perception

Sixty-two moderately depressed elderly in- and out-patients were administered 80 mg ACTH 4-9 analogue (Org 2766) or placebo daily for 4 weeks in a double-blind interindividual comparison. Patients were rated on days 0, 15 and 29 with the Hamilton Psychiatric Depression Rating Scale (HPDRS), The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS) and the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric Scale (SCAG). After 4 weeks 23 patients crossed over to the opposite treatment for a further 2 weeks. A statistically significant reduction in the severity of depression and anxiety was found in both treatment groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the treatment groups, when comparing scores for each item and total scores of HPDRS, HAS and SCAG on day 0, 15 or 29. Nor were there any statistically significant differences after the cross-over. Somatic examination and laboratory screenings before and at the end of the study did not reveal any pathological changes. No side effects were recorded.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Aged; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Clinical Trials as Topic; Depressive Disorder; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales

In a double-blind interindividual comparison 80 mg of an ACTH 4-9 analogue (Org 2766) or placebo was administered daily to 49 elderly depressed in- and out-patients for 4 weeks. 20 patients then changed to the opposite treatment in a cross-over study for a further 2 weeks. All patients were tested for memory on days 0 and 29 with a battery consisting of the 30 World-Pair Test, the 30 Figure-Test and the 30 Personal-Facta Test. Three scores were obtained from each test, immediate memory score (IMS), delayed memory score (DMS) and their difference, forgetting score (FS). Cross-over patients were tested for vigilance on days 0, 29 and 43 in an apparatus testing ability to rapidly detect and react to specific minor changes at random intervals. Org 2766 had no better effect than placebo on learning, consolidation, or retrieval of memorized material in elderly depressed patients. Statistically significant fewer target misses in the test of vigilance suggest a higher degree of sustained attention after treatment with Org 2766.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Aged; Arousal; Depressive Disorder; Female; Humans; Learning; Male; Memory; Middle Aged; Peptide Fragments