Neuropsychological Changes in Children Associated with Tricyclic Antidepressant Therapy

Abstract

We have previously reported significant neuropsychological improvements associated with the pharmacotherapy of small samples of childhood depressives (Brumback, et al, 1980; Staton, et al, 1981). Although there is a small literature describing limited but similar changes in treated adult depressives (Fromm-Auch, 1982a, 1982b; Gibson, 1981; Glass, et al., 1978; Heaton & Crowley, 1981; Henry, et al., 1973; and Savard, et al., 1980), no other studies describe the cognitive effects of antidepressant treatment of children. We now report a summary of findings derived from the study of 75 depressed children treated with tricyclic antidepressants, confirming our earlier findings that highly significant right hemisphere and frontal lobe neuropsychological test improvements are observed on retest of such patients.