The promise of rapidly acting antidepressants: Challenges and opportunities

摘要

Despite availability of a variety of new monoaminergic re-uptake blockers in the 50 years since imipramine, a meta-analysis of 28 trials found that full clinical response typically requires 6 weeks on average (1).This length of suffering is not only unacceptable but is also linked to an increased risk of suicide. Despite suicide prevention programs, better recognition of depression, and the availability of antidepressants and hospitalization, the overall rate of suicide has not improved over the last several decades. All this causes untold suffering to the victims, friends, and family.