Reboxetine Treatment of Depression in Parkinson's Disease

Letter to the Editor

Sir: The efficacy and tolerability of reboxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, have been shown in patients with major depressive disorder or dysthymia. This novel antidepressant shows negligible effects on psychomotor and cognitive function and may be especially effective in improving negative self-perception and lack of motivation toward action. Depression occurs frequently in Parkinson’s disease and appears to be associated with greater frontal lobe dysfunctions, including reward and motivational systems, and greater involvement of dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems than in nondepressed Parkinson’s patients. We report for the first time reboxetine treatment of depression in Parkinson’s disease after prior treatment with amitriptyline and fluoxetine was ineffective and accompanied by intolerable side effects.