Therapeutic applications and mechanisms of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitor and heterocyclic antidepressant drugs.

Tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and antidepressants of atypical structure are used in a variety of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric disorders. The efficacy of antidepressant drugs in major depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, peptic ulcer disease, enuresis, chronic pain, migraine, bulimia, and attention deficit disorder is briefly reviewed. The rationale that led to each of these therapeutic applications is examined, and the possible mechanism of action is discussed in light of recent advances in neurobiologic research. It is concluded that improved understanding of antidepressant drugs' mechanisms of action may help elucidate the etiology of these disorders and yield more effective treatments.