[Bromocriptin in organic depression (author's transl)]

Abstract

10 patients suffering from endogenomorphic depression on the basic of organic brain lesion were treated with 40 mg bromocriptin daily. Therapeutical efficacy was evaluated by various psychometric methods and by clinical impression. A negative correlation between performance and the depressive syndrome could be shown. Amelioration proved to be short lived, only 2 patients showed satisfactory response over a longer period of time. nausea and vomiting were the most common side effects, one patient showed a fully reversible manic syndrome. Reasons for the application of bromocriptin on the basis of a "dopamine-deficit hypothesis", and the results of the study are discussed.