[Characteristics of the catecholamine system in patients with endogenous depression before and after sleep deprivation therapy and tricyclic antidepressants].

Results are presented of the study of catecholamine system in endogenic depressive patients before and after treatment with sleep deprivation (26 patients) of tricyclic antidepressants (30 patients). Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and DOPA excretion were studied as related to clinical picture of the syndrome (2 groups: melancholic and anesthetic depressions). Sleep deprivation therapy was an effective method, as indicated by both clinical and catecholamine system signs.