RESUMO
Some studies have demonstrated that Reaction Time [RT] is longer in patients with ADHD which in turn may be associated with educational and occupational impairment and increased driving risks. Any alteration on RT which is induced by the treatment in this population may have great consequences positively or negatively. This study was designed to examine the effects of reboxetine on RT in adults with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]. A total of 30 adult patients with ADHD who did not suffer from any other major psychiatric disorder were eligible to participate in this double blind, placebo controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either reboxetine [4 mg/day for one week, then 8 mg/day] or placebo for 4 weeks. RT was assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks by validated software which collects and analyses the data for auditory and visual stimulants. Numbers of correct responses, omission and substitution errors for each stimulus were calculated. Regarding visual tasks and in comparison with baseline scores, the number of correct responses increased significantly and the number of omission errors decreased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment [P<0.05] in both groups. However, with regard to auditory tasks scores, no significant differences were found at the end of the study compared to the baseline in each of the two groups. Additionally, no significant differences were noted between the two groups when both visual and auditory tasks were considered. Results of this study showed that reboxetine did not affect the RT of the patients when both visual and auditory tasks were assessed. Further studies with larger number of patients and for a longer period of time are required to confirm the result of this study
RESUMO
Recent studies have indicated potential of saffron for applying in a wide variety of diseases such as psychiatric and neurologic disorders. The concurrent use of saffron with SSRIs can lead to reducing the dose of SSRIs. Saffron at a dose of 200 mg may change some hematological and biochemical parameters. The goal of this trial was to assess the safety of concomitant administration of saffron and SSRI in patients with major depressive disorder [MDD]. Twenty adult outpatients between 18 to 55 years-old with the diagnosis of MDD who were receiving an SSRI for at least 1 month prior to the initiation of the study entered this double-blind trial. They were randomly assigned to receive capsule of saffron [15 mg twice daily] or placebo. Some laboratory parameters were measured at baseline and week 4 of the study. Other side effects checked on a prepared list of side effects, were systematically recorded throughout the study at baseline and on a weekly basis. Saffron as an add-on medication to SSRIs for 4 weeks did not cause any statistically significant changes in laboratory parameters including AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, Cr., FBS, TG, TC, WBC, RBC, Hgb, Ht, PT, INR, and Pl count. This preliminary study provides safety evidences of concurrent intake of saffron and SSRI