Blood noradrenaline and 5-HT levels in depressed women during amitriptyline or lithium treatment.

Noradrenaline levels and platelet and free serotonin concentrations were studied in depressed women in-patients (n=78) before and during amitriptyline (n=41) or lithium treatment (n=37). Pronounced monthly differences in platelet serotonin level have been shown in these subjects before treatment. In all clinical subgroups (neurotic, involutional, manic-depressive patients) a significant fall in platelet serotonin level was observed with amitriptyline medication while an increase was noted with lithium. No significant correlations between serotonin concentrations and clinical outcome were found. Amitriptyline treatment also produced a decrease in peripheral noradrenaline concentration in all subgroups, while an increase was observed with lithium. Some correlations between noradrenaline level and degree of depression were noted in patients treated with amitriptyline or lithium. A more extended analysis of blood amine levels could supply meaningful information on the peripheral action of antidepressive drugs on noradrenaline and serotonin concentrations in depression.