1. Use of Fluoxetine to Augment the Inter-Ictal Hypercapnic Ventilatory Response in Patients with Epilepsy: A Pilot Study.
- Author
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Sainju RK, Dragon DN, Winnike HB, Eyck PT, Granner MA, Gehlbach BK, and Richerson GB
- Subjects
- Humans, Pilot Projects, Carbon Dioxide physiology, Hypercapnia drug therapy, Fluoxetine therapeutic use, Epilepsy drug therapy
- Abstract
Background: Severe peri-ictal respiratory dysfunction is a potential biomarker for high SUDEP risk and correlates with an attenuated hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR). Prior studies suggest a potential role for selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors in modifying the HCVR, but this approach has not been studied in the epilepsy population., Objectives: To assess the feasibility of using fluoxetine to augment HCVR in epilepsy patients., Methods and Material: An inter-ictal HCVR was measured using a CO
2 rebreathing technique in patients with epilepsy aged 18-75 years. Eligible participants were randomized to fluoxetine or placebo, and the HCVR was repeated at the end of week 4. Primary outcomes were recruitment and retention rate., Results: Of the 30 subjects enrolled, 22 were randomized (mean: 3.8 subjects/3 months), with a retention rate of 100% in fluoxetine and 95% in placebo., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate feasibility for a larger definitive future study to assess the efficacy of fluoxetine in augmenting HCVR., Competing Interests: None- Published
- 2022
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