Remarks on the therapy of depressions with amine precursors

The therapy of depressions with amine precursors is based on the hypothesis of an amine deficiency in depression. A brief review of different trials with these substances is given. However, the therapeutic effects achieved were not satisfactory, although treatment with 5-HT or with amine precursors combined with lithium or MAO-inhibitors seemed to be more successful. Furthermore, the difficulties in interpreting these somewhat disappointing results is pointed out.