Physiological and Psychological Effects of Antidepressants in Man

The physiological and psychological effects in depressed patients of tricyclic or monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants have been investigated in order to explore: (1) the mode of action of these compounds, (2) to elucidate the physiological and psychological concomitants of depression by studying patients before and after recovery, and (3) to determine which objective measures predict or record the outcome of treatment. To correctly interpret the findings of such studies, changes deriving from alterations in depressive symptoms must be carefully distinguished from the direct effects of the drug under investigation. As a consequence, the effects of antidepressant drugs on nondepressed subjects merit systematic study.