[Driving capacity and antidepressive drugs].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of antidepressants on psychomotor function related to car driving abilities.


METHODS
Depressive inpatients (n = 64) were investigated under steady state plasma level conditions. Data were collected with the ART 90 (Act and React Testsystem) measuring visual perception, reactivity, stress tolerance, selective attention and vigilance and were analyzed according to medication, severity of illness and age.


RESULTS
Only 23.8% of the sample reached the criteria of at least 15% of normal controls performance. We also observed that treatment with newer antidepressants (n = 31) was altogether associated with a better performance than treatment with tricyclics (n = 33).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings have important implications for a systematic examination of driving ability in depressive patients and data show that newer antidepressants may have more salutary effects on psychomotor function than tricyclic antidepressants.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001333:Automobile Driver Examination; D001334:Automobile Driving; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic