Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Jan 13;9:3. doi: 10.1186/1744-859X-9-3.
Biological rhythms have always been considered to be disrupted in depression, with the predominant theory being that of hyperarousal. However, recent data suggest that it might be more appropriate to suggest that depressed patients are incapable of achieving and maintaining the particular level of internal homeostasis which permits them to function smoothly, to lower the level of arousal during sleep sufficiently so that quality of sleep is good, and to increase this level enough during the day so the person can function properly. Therefore, the transition from one state to another is somewhat problematic, delayed, incomplete and desynchronised. Thus, agents with a 'rhythm stabilising' effect could be beneficial in the treatment of mood disorders. Such an agent should have a beneficial effect on restoring and stabilising the rhythm of a physiological function while not pushing it towards a specific pole, or inducing the opposite pole; it should also allow response to internal and environmental stimuli and zeitgebers, and restore synchronisation of the various body rhythms while not inducing or worsening desynchronisation. Agomelatine could represent the first of a new class of 'rhythm stabilising antidepressants', but further research is necessary to support this theory.
生物节律在抑郁症中一直被认为是紊乱的，主要理论是过度兴奋。然而，最近的数据表明，也许更恰当的说法是，抑郁患者无法达到和维持允许他们顺利运作的特定内部平衡水平，无法在睡眠中充分降低唤醒水平以确保良好的睡眠质量，也无法在白天提高唤醒水平以使患者能够正常运作。因此，从一种状态过渡到另一种状态有些问题，延迟、不完整且不同步。因此，具有“稳定节律”作用的药物可能对治疗情绪障碍有益。这样的药物应该在恢复和稳定生理功能的节律方面有积极作用，而不会将其推向特定的极点或诱导相反的极点；它还应该允许对内部和环境刺激和 zeitgebers 做出反应，并在不引起或加重失同步的情况下恢复各种身体节律的同步。阿戈美拉汀可能代表了一类新的“稳定节律抗抑郁药”的第一个，但需要进一步的研究来支持这一理论。
