[Serotonergic function in endogeneity of depression].

OBJECTIVE

This study employed an alternative method for assessing serotonergic function in depression. The neuroendocrine responses to acute intravenous administration of the serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor clomipramine were assessed in patients with Major Depression with Melancholia (DMM) and matched subjects with Major Depression (DM) (without Melancholia) and Dysthimic disorder (TD).

METHOD

10 patients who met DSM III-R criteria of DMM, 10 patients with DM and 10 with DD matched for age and sex received 12.5 mg of intravenously administered clomipramine. Prl, Cortisol and GH were measured during the next 135 minutes. We divided the samples using the Newcastle Scale.

RESULTS

The DMM patients had significant blunting prolactin responses to clomipramine compared with the other patients. Most of the major depression patients without melancholia were neurotic depressions according to the Newcastle Scale. There was a negative correlation between endogeneity and prolactin response.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the hypothesis that DMM patients have abnormal neuroendocrine responses to the intravenous administration of the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor clomipramine, and that there is an association between endogeneity and prolactin response.