[Salivation test in patients with affective disorders treated with amitriptyline, mianserin and electroconvulsive...

The aim of this work was assessment of the peripheral anticholinergic effects by use of a salivary test in patients with depression on the background of affective disease, treated over four weeks in a psychiatric department by one of three methods: amitriptyline, mianserin or nondominant unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (NDULECT). There were 22 patients treated with amitriptyline, 26 mianserin and 20 by NDULECT. The degree of depression was assessed by Hamilton's scale of depression and was similar in the groups of patients compared. Also the amount of saliva excreted was similar in the material examined before treatment. Among the methods of treatment the most severe inhibition of salivation was noted in the group treated with amitriptyline, the least--after NDULECT. Mianserin reduced salivation to a small degree--taking up a middle position in the comparison of methods of treatment. Practically speaking there is a conclusion: in patients whose somatic condition contraindicates, during treatment of endogenous depression, unwanted symptoms occurring after inhibition of the cholinergic receptor, the most acceptable of the three methods would be the use of mianserin or NDULECT.