Three cases of unipolar delusional depression responsive to L-dopa

We reported three cases of unipolar delusional depression which took a characteristic two-stage clinical course. Anxiety and agitation with persecutory delusions predominated the picture at first, but they were soon replaced by severe psychomotor retardation or stupor associated with delusions of poverty and guilt. The administration of L-Dopa in the latter stage brought about a rapid improvement both in mood and psychomotor activity. We considered these cases in the light of the recent biochemical studies on affective psychosis.