Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and vestibular function

• Fujii Hironori

  Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine

• Kiyomizu Kensuke

  Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Psychiatry, Yoshida Hospital Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki

• Shimogori Hiroaki

  Department of Otolaryngolog, Yamaguchi Rosai Hospital

• Hashimoto Makoto

  Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine

• Miwa Toru

  Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Kitano hospital, Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute Kyoto University, Graduate School of Medicine

• Sugahara Kazuma

  Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine

• Yamashita Hiroshi

  Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine

Bibliographic Information

Other Title

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) と前庭機能

Abstract

　Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are well-known to be effective in patients with dizziness and depression. However, there are only few papers about the effects of SSRIs on vestibular function in these patients. We therefore performed vestibulo-ocular reflex in rotation (VOR tests) and administered the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire to patients with dizziness before and after SSRI therapy. Of the 716 patients with dizziness at our psychiatric hospital, 86 had depression; of these 86 patients with coexistent dizziness and depression, we selected 7 patients (1 men, 6 women) (mean age, 56.87 years) who fulfilled the following conditions for this study; 1) regular treatment including anti-vertiginous drugs, physical therapy, minor tranquilizers and/or sleep medications were ineffective, 2) the diseases were not in the acute phase, 3) no antidepressants had been prescribed, and 4) willing to sign the consent form approved by the ethics committee in University of Yamaguchi for participation in this study. The VOR tests were performed using video-oculography (Nystamo 21 type 2, IRN-2, Morita Manufacturing corporation, Tokyo). After about 4 weeks of additional SSRI (sertraline) treatment, the DHI scores improved significantly (57.4→31.8). In the VOR tests, the DP% (vestibular function) improved significantly (26.6→9.46). Herein, we report the case of a 44-year-old woman with dizziness and depression who showed marked improvement with SSRI therapy. In regard to basic research, Dr. Shimogori of our group used a guinea pig model to examine how SSRI (sertraline) affects the vestibular system. From this clinical research, we believe that SSRIs could possibly affect the vestibular system directly by the activation of cyclic AMP-responsive element blinding protein-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (CREB-BDNF) system signaling.

Journal

• Equilibrium Research

  Equilibrium Research 79 (1), 12-19, 2020-02-28

  Japan Society for Equilibrium Research

Keywords

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
• vestibular function
• vestibular ocular reflex tests in rotation (VOR tests)

Details

• CRID: 1390002184891716608
• NII Article ID: 130007827472
• DOI: 10.3757/jser.79.12
• ISSN: 1882577X
• ISSN: 03855716
• Web Site: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jser/79/1/79_12/_pdf
• Text Lang: ja
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed