Adrenergic receptor sensitivity in depression. Effects of clonidine in depressed patients and healthy subjects.
Arch Gen Psychiatry
; 39(3): 290-4, 1982 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-6279050
ABSTRACT
Several recent investigations have raised the possibility that the sensitivity of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor may be of etiologic importance in depression. To assess whether abnormalities in presynaptic alpha 2-adrenergic receptor exist in depressed patients not taking drugs, the effects of an alpha 2 agonist, clonidine, on plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenelethyleneglycol (MHPG) and on blood pressure (BP) were evaluated in 15 depressed patients and 12 healthy controls of similar age. The ability of clonidine to increase growth hormone (GH) secretion was also assessed. The effect of clonidine on plasma MHPG and BP was not different between the depressed patients and controls. However, the GH response to clonidine was blunted in the depressed patients. These results suggest that in depression (1) the sensitivity of the presynaptic alpha 2-adrenergic receptor is not abnormal, and (2) the sensitivity of postsynaptic adrenergic receptors may be decreased.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sinapses
/
Norepinefrina
/
Receptores Adrenérgicos
/
Clonidina
/
Transtorno Depressivo
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
1982
Tipo de documento:
Article