Beneficial effect of digoxin-specific Fab fragments in bipolar disorder- a preliminary study

Ariel Zilberstein, Norberto Krivoy, Noa Horesh, Ehud Klein*, David Lichtstein

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: A vast amount of experimental data supports the notion that Na+, K+-ATPase and endogenous cardiac steroids (ECS) such as digoxin and ouabain are involved in bipolar disorders. The aim of the study was to examine the possible beneficial effect of Digoxin-specific antibody Fab fragments Digibind, in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. Methods: In a pilot, open-label study without a control group, BD inpatient subjects received a single dose of Digibind, injected intravenously. During the 72 hrs following the intervention. the response to Digibind was measured using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Results: A total 6 patients with a moderate to severe bipolar depressive episode (MADRS 30.3, 24–38) participated in the study. We found a significant clinical improvement at all time points after Digibind administration, manifested by a maximal decrease in the MADRS score of 8.3 points at 24 hrs, followed by a gradual rebound to baseline scores. Limitations: No control group was included, treatment was open-label, and only 6 patients were studied. Conclusions: This preliminary study showed that a one-time injection of Digibind resulted in a transient significant beneficial effect on depression symptoms in BD patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100600
JournalJournal of Affective Disorders Reports
Volume13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023

Keywords

  • Bipolar disorder
  • Cardiac steroids, Digoxin
  • Depression
  • Digibind
  • Na,K-ATPase

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Beneficial effect of digoxin-specific Fab fragments in bipolar disorder- a preliminary study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this