Abstract
Thirty-seven depressed patients over the age of 55 were treated for 5-7 weeks with either nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, or phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Patients' platelet MAO activity was measured following a drug washout period before treatment. Patients with higher MAO activity had a better response to treatment, regardless of which drug was used.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Blood Platelets / enzymology*
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Depressive Disorder / blood
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Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
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Depressive Disorder / psychology
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Monoamine Oxidase / blood*
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Nortriptyline / pharmacology
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Nortriptyline / therapeutic use*
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Phenelzine / pharmacology
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Phenelzine / therapeutic use*
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Probability
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Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Substances
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Nortriptyline
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Monoamine Oxidase
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Phenelzine