[Clinical and therapeutic evaluation of atypical antidepressants]

A comparative clinical analysis was made of the therapeutic efficacy of 13 atypical antidepressants (of the second generation and novel ones) and 5 typical (tricyclic) antidepressants in 1107 patients with depressions of varying nosology, syndromal structure and gravity. The data on psychotropic activity of atypical antidepressants and preferable indications for their administration are provided. The correlations between thymoleptic, anxiolytic and activating influences seen in the spectrum of their psychotropic action are discussed. Recommendations are given for the treatment with these agents of relatively mild depressions of the neurotic and psychopathic types in slow-progressive and border-line mental diseases. It is assumed that the second generation antidepressants occupy an intermediate position between antidepressants, tranquilizers and psychostimulants in the current systematics of psychotropic agents.