Clinical notes on the possible anticholinergic reversal of depressive syndromes

The authors report on the effects of acute confusional states and deliria (pharmacogenic confusional syndromes - PCS), occurring under the influence of psychotropic drugs on the depressive syndrome of three patients. The favourable influence of PCS on the depressive syndrome is considered to be largely linked to the anticholinergic effect of the drugs. The observations made in these three patients may give support to the hypothesis that cholinergic activity has pathogenic significance in depressive syndromes.