Drug profiling by computed electroencephalography and brain maps, with special consideration of sertraline and its...

The five main psychopharmacological drug groups are reviewed in respect of their effects on the pharmaco-electroencephalogram (pharmaco-EEG), with special consideration given to drug profiling by topographic brain mapping. In addition, the CNS effects of sertraline (100, 200, and 400 mg), zimelidine (100 mg), and placebo were studied. The pharmaco-EEG profiles of both sertraline (100 mg) and zimelidine were indicative of vigilance-enhancement seen after desipramine-type antidepressants; with higher sertraline dosages there was a change toward the sedation associated with imipramine-type antidepressants. Both sertraline (100 mg) and zimelidine improved psychometric performance, although some deterioration occurred with higher sertraline (200 and 400 mg) doses. Psychophysiological variables showed dose-dependent changes in CNS activation and pupillary dilatation. Adverse effects were minimal with both sertraline (100 mg) and zimelidine, while nausea and vomiting increased with sertraline 200 and 400 mg.