Selank vs medazepam in generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia
PubMed
TL;DR
In a 62-patient randomized comparison, Selank produced anxiety improvements similar to medazepam and was also associated with antiasthenic effects.
Randomized comparative study · 62 patients
What was studied
The question.
Whether Selank could reduce symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder or neurasthenia, and how its effects compared with medazepam.
How it was conducted
The study design.
Thirty patients received Selank and 32 received medazepam. Symptoms were followed with Hamilton, Zung and CGI psychometric scales, while serum enkephalin activity was also measured.
What it found
Did it actually work?
- The authors reported similar anxiolytic effects with Selank and medazepam.
- Selank was also reported to have antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects.
- Changes in serum enkephalin measures were explored as a possible biological correlate.
Why it matters
How to read this result.
It is one of the clearest pieces of direct human evidence behind Selank's reputation as an anxiolytic peptide.
Keep in mind
What the study does not prove.
- The study was relatively small and published in Russian.
- Independent modern replication is limited.
- It does not establish broad cognitive-enhancement effects.
Original source
Want to read the original?
We summarize the study here first. The original source is there when you want the full methods, statistics, tables and author discussion.
Open Europe PMC record