[Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia].

Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova2008PMID: 18454096

Randomized Controlled TrialSelank

Plain Language Summary

A clinical trial comparing Selank vs. medazepam (a benzodiazepine) in 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia. Both drugs produced equal anxiolytic effects, but Selank additionally reduced asthenic symptoms (fatigue, mental exhaustion) and improved psychostimulant activity. Selank also normalized enkephalin half-life in blood—a marker of endogenous opioid activity—suggesting this as a key mechanism.

Abstract

Sixty-two patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia were studied. The effect of selank (30 patients) was compared to that of medazepam (32 patients). Patient's state was assessed with psychometric scales (Hamilton, Zung, CGI). Enkephalin activity in the blood serum was measured as well. The anxiolytic effects of both drugs were similar but selank had also antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects. The clinical-biological study revealed that patients with GAD and neurasthenia had the decreased level of tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin which was correlated with disease duration, severity of symptoms related to anxiety and asthenia and autonomic disorders. The increase of this parameter and stronger positive correlations with anxiety level were observed during the treatment with selank mostly in patients with GAD.

Authors

Zozulia, A A; Neznamov, G G; Siuniakov, T S; Kost, N V; Gabaeva, M V; Sokolov, O Iu; Serebriakova, E V; Siranchieva, O A; Andriushenko, A V; Telesheva, E S; Siuniakov, S A; Smulevich, A B; Miasoedov, N F; Seredenin, S B