Nathan S. Kline: From the first treatments of psychosis and depression,a 70-year legacy of a pioneer of psychopharmacology

Abstract

The current era is characterized by the pursuit of novel medications and drug repurposing through innovative mechanisms that modulate systems beyond the monoaminergic, focusing on novel synaptic signaling targets. Against this backdrop, it can be challenging to recall a time when psychopharmacology was in its infancy, and every discovery represented the cutting edge. Nathan S. Kline, a clinician and researcher, was a pivotal figure in introducing the first psychoactive substances into clinical practice. His seminal work on reserpine as a sedative and his evaluation of the antidepressant properties of iproniazid, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), positioned him at the scientific vanguard of pharmacological psychiatry. Kline made multiple substantial contributions to the medical-scientific literature, publishing foundational papers on the use of reserpine in neuropsychiatric hospitals, the application of Rauwolfia serpentina for neuropsychiatric conditions, and comparative studies of iproniazid and other MAOIs, among numerous other manuscripts. Kline’s enduring legacy extends beyond psychopharmacology, encompassing early efforts in health informatics to optimize psychiatric logistics and advocacy for the expansion of global mental health care networks, including in low- and middle-income countries.