Fluoxetine decreases stereotypic behavior in primates.

摘要

BACKGROUND: Primates reared in captivity may display stereotypic behaviors. These behaviors are arguably reminiscent of human obsessive-compulsive or posttraumatic symptoms, which respond to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Captive primates with marked stereotypic behaviors were entered into a randomized controlled study of the SSRI, fluoxetine. METHODS: A sample of 10 vervet monkeys with behaviors such as marked saluting, somersaulting, weaving, or head tossing was selected. Subjects were randomized to receive fluoxetine 1 mg/kg for 6 weeks (n=5) or no treatment (n=5). A rater blind to the medication status of subjects noted the frequency of the stereotypic behaviors. RESULTS: Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) demonstrated a significant GroupxTime difference with significantly fewer stereotypic symptoms in the fluoxetine group by endpoint. At this time, three of the five fluoxetine-treated subjects (but none of the no-treatment subjects) were responders on the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) change item (CGI