title: Biochemistry of the affective disorders.
abstract: The idea that affective illness might be due to some biochemical malfunction of the patient is not new. A number of features of affective illness lend support to the biological hypothesis of aetiology. The evidence is briefly reviewed in this paper. There are three principal areas of biochemical interest in depression, namely electrolytes, biogenic amines and neuroendocrine abnormalities. Each of these is briefly reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008094:Lithium; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D006854:Hydrocortisone