A controlled trial of methyl phenidate (ritalin) in the treatment of depressive states.

o( Phenyl cx piperidyl acetic acid methyl ester hydrochloride (methyl phenidate, "ritalin ") has recently been introduced as a central nervous system stimulant. Animal experiments have shown that it increases psychomotor activity and has a pressor effect. Its effectiveness in counteracting the effects of hypnotics in man, experimentally and in cases of poisoning, has been reported, as has its usefulness in treating reserpine-induced depression. It has also been used in other depressive states where its action was considered to be beneficial in reducing the disorder of mood and in increasing confidence and speed of activity (Meier, Gross, and Tripod, 1954; Heiss, Becker, Hiltman, and Honsberg, 1956; Ferguson, 1955; Geller, 1955; Stier, 1955). None of these conducting clinical reports so far has utilized controls, and this paper describes a " blind " trial in which, in addition to general out-patient management and supervision, two comparable groups of depressed patients were given either the drug or a placebo over a period of four weeks.