Platelet alpha-2 adrenoreceptor activity pre-treatment and post-treatment in major depressive disorder with melancholia.

Changes in alpha-2 adrenoreceptor density and affinity during antidepressant treatment were studied using 3H-yohimbine binding to human platelet membranes. Baseline measurements were conducted in 21 patients diagnosed as having major depressive disorder with melancholia, and an equal number of age and sex matched normal controls. No differences were observed in receptor density or binding between pre-treatment subject groups and normal matched controls. Subjects participated for 6 weeks in a trial of placebo, adinazolam, or amitriptyline. Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor binding was not significantly changed from baseline following antidepressant treatment.