Rapid Enhancement of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in Bipolar Depression Following Treatment with Riluzole

Glutamatergic abnormalities may underlie bipolar disorder (BD). The glutamate-modulating drug riluzole may be efficacious in bipolar depression, but few in vivo studies have examined its effect on glutamatergic neurotransmission. We conducted an exploratory study of the effect of riluzole on brain glutamine/glutamate (Gln/Glu) ratios and levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA). We administered open-label riluzole 100-200 mg daily for 6 weeks to 14 patients with bipolar depression and obtained imaging data from 8-cm(3) voxels in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and parieto-occipital cortex (POC) at baseline, day 2, and week 6 of treatment, using two-dimensional J-resolved proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 4 T. Imaging data were analyzed using the spectral-fitting package, LCModel; statistical analysis used random effects mixed models. Riluzole significantly reduced Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores (d = 3.4; p < 0.001). Gln/Glu ratios increased significantly by day 2 of riluzole treatment (Cohen's d = 1.2; p = 0.023). NAA levels increased significantly from baseline to week 6 (d = 1.2; p = 0.035). Reduction in HAM-D scores was positively associated with increases in NAA from baseline to week 6 in the ACC (d = 1.4; p = 0.053), but was negatively associated in the POC (d = 9.6; p < 0.001). Riluzole seems to rapidly increase Gln/Glu ratios-suggesting increased glutamate-glutamine cycling, which may subsequently enhance neuronal plasticity and reduce depressive symptoms. Further investigation of the Gln/Glu ratio as a possible early biomarker of response to glutamate-modulating therapies is warranted. Neuropsychopharmacology (2010) 35, 834-846; doi:10.1038/npp.2009.191; published online 2 December 2009