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Biochemical Aspects of Therapy-Resistant Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

B. E. Leonard
B. E. Leonard*
Affiliation:
University College, Galway, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract

Despite the relatively high incidence of therapy-resistant depression, there is little clinical evidence to suggest that there are significant biochemical differences between therapy-resistant and therapy-responsive patients. A major problem for investigators is the lack of an internationally recognised definition of resistant depression. Also, it is possible that depressed patients with delusional symptoms or rapidly cycling affective disorders form subgroups that are more likely to be resistant to tricylic antidepressant treatment and are therefore classified as therapy-resistant. Evidence is presented to show that an abnormality in serotonergic function may characterise some therapy-resistant depressed patients.

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Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 152 , Issue 4 , April 1988 , pp. 453 - 459
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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