Mianserin: a decade of scientific development.

1 Mianserin is a tetracyclic piperazino-azepine compound synthesized in 1966 for its peripheral anti 5-hydroxytryptamine properties. Animal screening showed that mianserin was centrally active, but the profile did not indicate possible antidepressant activity. Following clinical observations of sedative and possible mood-lifting effects, a quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) study showed that the EEG effects of mianserin are similar to those of amitriptyline. 2 Subsequent clinical and pharmacological studies have indicated that mianserin is an effective antidepressant which differs from the tricyclic antidepressants not only chemically but also in its pharmacological and clinical profile. Mianserin seems to lack anticholinergic and cardiotoxic properties, and has unusual effects on monoamine metabolism. 3 On the basis of the initial profile a series of clinical and pharmacological studies has been carried out, and the results of many of these studies are presented in these Proceedings.