A dutch translation of the MADRS is presented. An account is given of the exclusion of self-ratingscales from this study. The translated version of the MADRS was found to have acceptable face validity and good reliability. The concurrent validity of the MADRS was good, based on comparisons with the Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D). The internal consistency of the MADRS was good. The MADRS may be useful in rating patients with schizofrenic disorders. This study is the first dutch study evaluating the properties of translated versions of foreign language ratingscales.