title: Biochemical aspects of therapy-resistant depression.
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 from subgroups that are more likely to be resistant to tricyclic 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.
mesh_terms: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003702:Delusions / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D012701:Serotonin; D008094:Lithium