Post-stroke depression.
Depression is present in 25-30% of stroke patients: though associated with physical disability and loss of function, it cannot be explained simply as a response to the disability. The severity of depression correlates with proximity of the lesion to the left anterior frontal pole, while right hemisphere lesions show the reverse trend. Post-stroke depressions may last more than 7-8 months without treatment, and are highly correlated with a failure to resume premorbid social and physical activities. However, this is a group of patients whose recovery could be hastened by appropriate antidepressant treatment, though most antidepressants are of limited value in the treatment of these patients, because of side-effects or possible toxicity. Since moclobemide has few side-effects it may be uniquely well tolerated in this group of patients, having proven efficacy for both endogenous and reactive depressions.
Tiller
J W
JW
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans