Differential response to lithium between melancholic and non-melancholic unipolar depression

Abstract

The purpose of this report was to review the evidence regarding the differential response to lithium treatment between patients with unipolar melancholic and non-melancholic depression. Three studies suggest that the prophylactic effect of lithium in maintenance treatment may be greater in melancholic depression. Another study reported that melancholic symptoms, such as weight loss and psychomotor disturbances, predict a better response to lithium augmentation. These preliminary data suggest that the response to lithium may be greater in melancholic than in non-melancholic depression, which could be the focus of further research.