Thirty-four patients who met Research Diagnostic Criteria for the
diagnosis of major depressive disorder, primary subtype, were given the
dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and a methylphenidate challenge. The
two tests divided the patients along the following lines: One group did not
suppress cortisol and failed to respond to methylphenidate, while the other
group did suppress cortisol and had a positive mood response to
methylphenidate. In an open clinical trial, the former group responded
preferentially to amitriptyline and the latter group responded
preferentially to imipramine.Abstract Teaser