Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
10:54
Conventional Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression: A Step-by-Step Protocol
Published on: November 21, 2025
The Rothschild Scale for Antidepressant Tachyphylaxis: reliability and validity
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMassMemorial Healthcare, Inc., Worcester, MA 01605, USA. rothschA@ummhc.org
Comprehensive Psychiatry
|August 16, 2008
Summary
The Rothschild Scale for Antidepressant Tachyphylaxis (RSAT) is a new, reliable tool for measuring antidepressant tachyphylaxis. It accurately assesses symptoms like apathy and fatigue after depression treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antidepressant tachyphylaxis, characterized by apathy and fatigue post-treatment, lacks a clear definition and assessment tool.
- Patients often report decreased motivation, cognitive dullness, and sexual dysfunction after successful depression treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Rothschild Scale for Antidepressant Tachyphylaxis (RSAT).
- To provide a reliable and valid measure for assessing antidepressant tachyphylaxis.
Main Methods:
- The RSAT includes 7 items (6 self-report, 1 interviewer-assessed) on energy, motivation, cognition, weight, sleep, sexual function, and affect.
- The study evaluated the RSAT's internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity.
Main Results:
- The RSAT demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = .902) and strong test-retest reliability.
- Discriminant validity was supported, as RSAT scores did not correlate with depression severity measures.
Conclusions:
- The Rothschild Scale for Antidepressant Tachyphylaxis (RSAT) is a reliable measure.
- The RSAT can be used to assess antidepressant tachyphylaxis in clinical practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Tachyphylaxis is described as a rapid decrease in response to a drug after repeated or continuous administration of the same drug dose. It is a phenomenon where the body becomes less responsive to a particular substance or intervention over time, requiring higher doses or stronger interventions to achieve the same effect. It results from adaptive changes in the body's receptors, signaling pathways, or physiological processes that occur in response to prolonged exposure to a stimulus.
Several...
Several...
01:28Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
01:25Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...