Coppen A J, Doogan D P
M.R.C. Neuropsychiatric Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey, England.
J Clin Psychiatry. 1988 Aug;49 Suppl:4-11.
The authors review the literature in an attempt to evaluate the relationship between serotonin and depression. Animal studies show that the administration of tryptophan (the precursor of serotonin) increased serotonin synthesis and influenced behavior. Low plasma tryptophan levels have been found in patients with endogeneous depression. Postmortem studies have shown an association between lowered hindbrain serotonin levels and suicide among depressed persons. The decreased serotonin levels in blood platelets during depression mirrored the neuronal changes. Tricyclic antidepressants inhibited platelet serotonin uptake and reduced imipramine binding sites on the platelets. A positive correlation between depression rating scores and platelet aggregatory response has been reported. Serotonin stimulated release of prolactin and growth hormone, although the prolactin response was less marked in depression. A marker for depressive illness is still sought, but it is likely to be related in some way to serotonin.
作者回顾了相关文献，试图评估血清素与抑郁症之间的关系。动物研究表明，给予色氨酸（血清素的前体）可增加血清素合成并影响行为。内源性抑郁症患者的血浆色氨酸水平较低。尸检研究表明，抑郁症患者后脑血清素水平降低与自杀之间存在关联。抑郁症期间血小板中血清素水平的降低反映了神经元的变化。三环类抗抑郁药可抑制血小板对血清素的摄取，并减少血小板上丙咪嗪的结合位点。据报道，抑郁评分与血小板聚集反应之间呈正相关。血清素可刺激催乳素和生长激素的释放，尽管抑郁症患者中催乳素反应不太明显。目前仍在寻找抑郁症的标志物，但它可能在某种程度上与血清素有关。
