Psychopharmacology of depression in neurologic disorders.

Depression occurs frequently in patients with neurologic disorders. Current research in traumatic brain injury, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and brain tumors indicates that affective symptomatology can be a specific sequel of these illnesses that is related to the resultant impairment in brain functioning. Because of the cognitive and emotional deficits that neurologic disorders can cause, the clinician must be aware of the complicated presentation of depression in these patients. Psychopharmacologic treatments are safe and efficacious in the treatment of depression in patients with neurologic illness.