Red blood cell catechol O-methyl transferase and response to imipramine in unipolar depressive women.

When baseline red blood cell catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) was measured in 15 unipolar depressive women, the authors found a linear correlation between COMT and response to imipramine (best outcome occurring at low COMT). The results of this study were not related to such variables as intensity of depression, family history, or psychiatric history. The authors suggest that this assay may be useful either as a predictor of response to the drug or as a guide in choosing the optimum dose.