Itil, T.M.:The Discovery of psychotropic drugs by computer-analyzed cerebral bioelectrical potentials (CEEG). Drug Dev. Res. 1:373-407, 1981.The psychotropic properties of nine compounds were discovered in healthy subjects based on the effects of computer-analyzed cerebral bioelectrical potentials or computer-analyzed electroencephalograms (CEEG). Quantitative pharmaco-EEG (QPEEG) studies demonstrated that CEEG profiles of mianserin (GB-94), GC-46, cyclacozine, mesterolone, and estradiol valerate, resembled the CEEG profiles of tricyclic antidepressants. CEEG profiles of d-and I-norgestrel and cyproterone acetate showed similarities to benzodiazepine anxiolytics, and profiles of lisuride hydrogen maleate resembled psychostimulant compounds. Thus, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and "psychostimulant" effects were predicted for these compounds. Subsequent clinical trials confirmed the antidepressant effects of mianserin, GC-46, and mesterolone in depressed patients; the anxiolytic effects of I-norgestrel and cyproterone acetate in anxiety syndromes; and the "psychostimulant" properties of lisuride hydrogen maleate in the "geriatric" population. However, animal pharmacology and biochemical investigations failed to predict any psychotropic properties for these compounds.