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A comparison of electroconvulsive therapy and combined phenelzine-amitriptyline in refractory depression.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Davidson, J; McLeod, M; Law-Yone, B; Linnoila, M
Published in: Arch Gen Psychiatry
May 1978

Combined monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor-tricyclic antidepressant therapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were compared in a population of refractory depressive patients. Seventeen patients were randomly assigned to either of the treatment groups, and an independent observer was used to rate overall progress. Between four and ten ECTs or a combination of phenelzine and amitriptyline were administered. Assays for MAO activity and plasma levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were performed. In both psychotic and neurotic depression, ECT was superior. When depression was accompanied by character disorder, the response was generally poor. Adequate levels of MAO inhibition were obtained, but tricyclic antidepressant levels were low. Electroconvulsive therapy is still considered to be the treatment of choice for severe depression, whereas the combination of low doses of phenelzine and amitriptyline are ineffective. This treatment modality needs further investigation.

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Published In

Arch Gen Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0003-990X

Publication Date

May 1978

Volume

35

Issue

5

Start / End Page

639 / 642

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Phenelzine
  • Personality Disorders
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Depressive Disorder, Major
 

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Davidson, J., McLeod, M., Law-Yone, B., & Linnoila, M. (1978). A comparison of electroconvulsive therapy and combined phenelzine-amitriptyline in refractory depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 35(5), 639–642. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1978.01770290121011
Davidson, J., M. McLeod, B. Law-Yone, and M. Linnoila. “A comparison of electroconvulsive therapy and combined phenelzine-amitriptyline in refractory depression.Arch Gen Psychiatry 35, no. 5 (May 1978): 639–42. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1978.01770290121011.
Davidson J, McLeod M, Law-Yone B, Linnoila M. A comparison of electroconvulsive therapy and combined phenelzine-amitriptyline in refractory depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1978 May;35(5):639–42.
Davidson, J., et al. “A comparison of electroconvulsive therapy and combined phenelzine-amitriptyline in refractory depression.Arch Gen Psychiatry, vol. 35, no. 5, May 1978, pp. 639–42. Pubmed, doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1978.01770290121011.
Davidson J, McLeod M, Law-Yone B, Linnoila M. A comparison of electroconvulsive therapy and combined phenelzine-amitriptyline in refractory depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1978 May;35(5):639–642.

Published In

Arch Gen Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0003-990X

Publication Date

May 1978

Volume

35

Issue

5

Start / End Page

639 / 642

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Psychiatry
  • Phenelzine
  • Personality Disorders
  • Monoamine Oxidase
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Depressive Disorder, Major