A method for treatment of depression and depressive mood disorders. The
patient is administered an amount of a compound that increases the
catalytic activity of MAO-A, so as to increase synaptic metabolism of
serotonin to 5-HIAL. The effective compound is preferably reserpine,
administered in a dosage of less than about 0.03 mg per day. The
reserpine may be administered transdermally at a dosage in the range from
about 0.002 mg per day to about 0.02 mg per day. A caffeine compound may
be administered simultaneously so as to compensate for an
antihypertensive effect of the reserpine. The caffeine compound may be
combined with the reserpine in a transdermal cream.