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Neuropharmacological Adaptive Effects in the Actions of Antidepressant Drugs, ECT and Lithium

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New Concepts in Depression

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Abstract

It has long been assumed that there is a latent period of one to two weeks between beginning treatment with antidepressant drugs and evidence of clinical improvement (Oswald et al., 1972). However, there is an increasing feeling that this may be an over-simplification. Depression is a complex illness with many facets of which mood is only one. Overall rating scales may be a blunt instrument for detecting improvements in a multi-symptomatic state. There are hints in the literature that the response of certain symptoms to antidepressants may occur within a few days. There are also confounding factors: for example, some antidepressants, e.g. amitriptyline, are sedative and may improve sleep early, so altering responses as judged by rating scales.

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Authors
  1. D. G. Grahame-Smith
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Recherche Pierre Fabre, 17 Avenue Jean Moulin, 81100, Castres, France

    M. Briley

  2. Unité de Pharmacologie Neuroimmunoendocrinienne, UA CNRS 1113, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France

    G. Fillion

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© 1988 The Editors and the Contributors

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Grahame-Smith, D.G. (1988). Neuropharmacological Adaptive Effects in the Actions of Antidepressant Drugs, ECT and Lithium. In: Briley, M., Fillion, G. (eds) New Concepts in Depression. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09506-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-09506-3_1

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-09508-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-09506-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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