Current status of the biogenic amine theory of depression.

An attempt has been made to assess critically the clinical and experimental evidence that implicates a malfunctioning of amine neurotransmitter systems in the aetiology of depression. The evidence available does provide indirect evidence in favour of the biogenic amine theory of depression. However, emphasis is now being placed more on the abnormal responsiveness of the amine receptors, particularly the noradrenergic receptors, to the presynaptic release of the neurotransmitter rather than on the mechanisms governing the synthesis per se.