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Classification of depression and response to amitriptyline therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

V. A. Rama Rao  and
Alec Coppen
V. A. Rama Rao*
Affiliation:
MRC Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
Alec Coppen
Affiliation:
MRC Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr V. A, Rama Rao, MRC Neuropsychiatry Laboratory, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey, KTI9 8PB.
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Synopsis

Fifty-four patients suffering from primary depressive illness were rated on the Newcastle diagnostic scale while taking part in a pharmacokinetic study of amitriptyline therapy, and their clinical response was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Patients with a Newcastle score of 4−8 showed the best response to amitriptyline. Patients with low Newcastle scores, representing the non-endogenous or neurotic group, responded poorly. Patients with high scores on the Newcastle scale, representing those with marked endogenous features, also responded poorly.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , May 1979 , pp. 321 - 325
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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