Abstract Reviews the literature on the metabolism of the main cerebral monoamines and functioning of amines. Depression may be due to and/or accompanied by a monoaminergic deficiency. Interrelations of the aminergic system along with electrolyte, hormone, and lipid metabolism are discussed. A biochemical typology of depression could lead to a more predictive approach. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)