Pharmaco-EEG profiles of typical and atypical antidepressants

Utilizing quantitative analysis of the human electroencephalogram (EEG), the effect of typical and atypical antidepressants on the central nervous systems (CNS) was studied in several double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. At least two types of pharmaco-EEG profiles may be differentiated: 1) a thymeretic, desipramine-like pharmaco-EEG profile suggesting activating properties of the drug (desipramine, tranylcypromine, nomifensine, higher doses of pirlindol and to some extent of fluoxetine); 2) a thymoleptic imipramine- and amitriptyline-like pharmaco-EEG profile showing also sedative qualities (imipramine, amitriptyline, maprotiline, binodaline, danitracene and fluvoxamine). A small number of new compounds exhibit still another pharmaco-EEG profile which may reflect some activating properties different from the above-described ones (clovoxamine, ciclopramine, tandamine). Trazodon on the other hand, produced just opposite changes indicating sedative effects. Aside from determining the type of EEG changes, the pharmaco-EEG method seems to be of value in determining time- and dose-efficacy relations at the target organ--the human brain. The relationships between pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics will be discussed.