Comparative behavioural toxicity of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

The psychopharmacological profiles of several selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were compared and their behavioural toxicity contrasted both to placebo and the tricyclic antidepressants dothiepin and amitriptyline. On measures of central nervous system arousal (critical flicker fusion), psychomotor speed (choice reaction time), skilled performance (compensatory tracking) and subjective ratings of sedation (line analogue rating scales), the tricyclic compounds clearly impaired performance and led to higher ratings of sedation. While the SSRIs were generally clear of these gross effects, there were quantifiable differences between the compounds, seen mainly as an increase in central nervous system arousal. It remains to be established whether these minor differences have any clinical relevance.