A commentary notes that a key question, which was raised in 2009, remains - what is the implication of superiority of outcomes at 8 weeks for long-term effects, particularly functional outcomes? It adds that although network meta-analysis is exemplary as a technique to combine aggregate data, such aggregation does not allow for analysis at the individual patient level and so cannot provide finer detail on who might preferentially respond or who might be more vulnerable to side-effects. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of response within major depressive disorder, identified by other statistical approaches, is missed by network meta-analysis. The commentators suggest that nevertheless, the researchers have made a major contribution as their study identified significant differences between antidepressants that are relevant to health-care economists and policy makers, clinicians, and patients. They add that the demonstration of the extent of antidepressant superiority over placebo reassures patients and health-care professionals of the efficacy of treatment despite high placebo response rates.