Background
Second-generation antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause fewer incidences of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) than typical antipsychotic drugs, but adverse events such as akathisia have been observed even with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Akathisia is one of the most common and distressing EPSs of antipsychotic drugs [
1,
2]. The development of akathisia can adversely affect patients' adherence to medication, and, as a consequence, have a negative impact on long-term treatment outcomes in patients with schizophrenia [
3,
4]. Although therapeutic drugs (for example, β-adrenergic blockers, benzodiazepines, and anticholinergic drugs) have been used in the treatment of akathisia, they show only a moderate efficacy, and a substantial proportion of patients fail to respond to treatment. In contrast, understanding of the pathophysiology of akathisia remains limited. Given the clinical profile of akathisia, it seems that a complex interplay of several neurotransmitter systems (for example, dopamine, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and neuropeptides) underlies its complex pathophysiology [
1,
2].
The endoplasmic reticulum protein sigma-1 receptors play a key role in Ca
2+ signalling and cell survival, and have been shown to regulate a number of neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system [
5‐
8]. A recent study identified the sigma-1 receptors as possessing innate biological activity as a molecular chaperone, activity that can be activated/inactivated by synthetic compounds that bind to sigma-1 receptors [
9,
10]. Furthermore, sigma-1 receptors play important roles in the Ca
2+ signalling and bioenergetics within the cell [
8‐
10]. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine is a very potent agonist on sigma-1 receptors [
11,
12]. A study using a selective sigma-1 receptor agonist [
11C]SA4503 and positron emission tomography demonstrated that fluvoxamine binds to sigma-1 receptors in living human brain at therapeutic doses, suggesting that sigma-1 receptors might play a role in the mechanism of action of fluvoxamine [
13].
Given the important role of sigma-1 receptors in the regulation of neurotransmitter systems, we hypothesised that fluvoxamine may be effective in the treatment of akathisia associated with antipsychotic treatment. Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug that acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D
2 receptors and serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
1A receptors, and an antagonist at 5-HT
2A receptors. The Schizophrenia Trial of Aripiprazole (STAR) study demonstrated a relatively higher incidence of akathisia with aripiprazole compared with placebo or other antipsychotic drugs (olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone)[
14]. Here, we report two cases in which fluvoxamine was effective in treating aripiprazole-induced akathisia in patients with schizophrenia. Written informed consents were obtained from the all patients in this case report.
Discussion
To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that fluvoxamine is effective in the treatment of aripiprazole-induced akathisia of patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, we have experienced that fluvoxamine is also effective in the treatment of other antipsychotic-induced akathisia in patients with schizophrenia (data not shown). Nonetheless, a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled study of fluvoxamine will be needed to confirm its efficacy for the treatment of this syndrome. From these case studies, it is unclear whether sigma-1 receptor agonism appears to be irrelevant to the anti-akathitic action of fluvoxamine. In order to confirm the role of sigma-1 receptors in the treatment of akathisia, a randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the selective sigma-1 receptor agonist (for example, cutamesine (SA4503)) in patients with antipsychotic-induced akathisia would be also of interest.
Akathisia is a neurological side effect of antipsychotic medications, which are used to treat various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders [
1,
2,
4]. It seems that akathisia is simply a dopamine D
2 receptor blockade [
1] although the precise mechanisms underlying antipsychotic drugs-induced akathisia are currently unclear. A number of neurotransmitter systems play a role in the complex pathophysiology of akathisia [
1,
2]. At present, it is unclear whether sigma-1 receptor agonism is involved in the mechanisms of anti-akathitic action of fluvoxamine. Considering the important role of sigma-1 receptors in the regulation of a number of neurotransmitter systems [
5‐
8], it is likely that indirect modulation of several neurotransmitter systems by sigma-1 receptor agonist may be involved in the mechanisms of this drug although a further detailed study will be necessary.
Conclusions
These two cases suggest that fluvoxamine may serve as an alternative option in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia in patients with schizophrenia. More detailed randomised, double-blind studies of fluvoxamine using larger samples should be performed to clarify the role of sigma-1 receptors in the efficacy of fluvoxamine for akathisia.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
TF contributed to the clinical and rating evaluations during the follow-up periods. KH conceived of the study and participated in its study and coordination. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.