Beta-adrenergic receptor function in affective illness.

In a study of beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity, the authors determined the response of cyclic AMP synthesis to in vitro addition of norepinephrine (NE) and isoproterenol (IP) in leukocytes of patients with affective illness and schizophrenia and of normal controls. IP-stimulated increase in 3H-cyclic AMP synthesis in depressed patients was significantly lower than in normal subjects and schizophrenic patients. These results suggest that beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity is reduced in depressive illness.