Psychiatria pre prax 3/2004

Amisulprid in dysthymia and anxiety disorders – resources and case reports

The dopamine system is thought to play a crucial role in processing motivation and reward, and may also play a role in depression and anxiety disorders (especially social phobia). Interestingly, a range of antidepressants potentiate dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens. Dopamine hypofunction may be particularly important in patients with psychomotor retardation and anhedonia. A range of evidence points to the involvement of the dopaminergic system in social phobia. Dopaminergic agents, such as amisulpride or bupropion, in monotherapy or in combination with serotonergic agents can help overcome pharmacoresistance in patients suffering from dysthymia, depression or anxiety disorders.

Keywords: dopamine, nucleus accumbens, reward system, amisulpride, dysthymia, social phobia.