title: The stimulant challenge test in depression.
abstract: The psychostimulants remain controversial agents for the diagnosis and treatment of depression. One promising area of investigation involves the use of a brief trial of a stimulant to predict patient response to subsequent treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant. Five of 10 studies have demonstrated the predictive value of the stimulant challenge test in depression; however, these studies have varied significantly in method. Studies in which oral doses of stimulant were given over an extended time have demonstrated greater predictive value than studies using a single intravenous challenge dose. Additional factors which differ between studies and may affect the predictive value of the stimulant challenge test are identified. The literature on the neuroendocrine responses to stimulant administration, direct stimulant effects on mood and activity, and stimulant neurotransmitter effects is summarized to further understanding of stimulant action in relation to affective disorders.
mesh_terms: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D011336:Probability
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants