 |
|
Brain Biogenic Amine Depletion and Mood
Joseph Mendels, MD;
Alan Frazer, PhD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1974;30(4):447-451.
Abstract
| |
To evaluate the hypothesis that clinical depression is associated with reduced brain biogenic amine activity, the behavioral effects, in man, of drugs that deplete the brain of biogenic amines were reviewed. The behavioral changes associated with reserpine administration were interpreted as being primarily a psychomotor retardation-sedation syndrome, due perhaps to a dopamine deficiency, and would not be an adequate model for clinical depression. In susceptible persons, particularly those with a prior history of depression, this psychomotor retardation-sedation might be sufficient to trigger a depression-like episode.
More selective amine depletion, produced either by alpha-methyl-paratyrosine or by parachlorophenylalanine is not associated with depression. Yet, these drugs produce a more consistent and greater reduction in amine metabolite concentrations than that reported to occur in depressed patients.
In light of this, it is suggested that the depletion of brain norepinephrine and dopamine, or serotonin, is, in itself, not sufficient to account for clinical depression.
Author Affiliations
Philadelphia
From the Depression Research Unit, departments of psychiatry and pharmacology, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Veterans Administration Hospital, Philadelphia.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication Nov 3, 1973.
Reprint requests c/o VA Hospital, University and Woodland avenues, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Dr. Mendels).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Regional Brain Metabolic Correlates of {alpha}-Methylparatyrosine-Induced Depressive Symptoms: Implications for the Neural Circuitry of Depression
Bremner et al.
JAMA 2003;289:3125-3134.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Transient Depressive Relapse Induced by Catecholamine Depletion: Potential Phenotypic Vulnerability Marker?
Berman et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:395-403.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Clinical and Biochemical Effects of Catecholamine Depletion on Antidepressant-Induced Remission of Depression
Miller et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1996;53:117-128.
ABSTRACT
Inhibition of Dopamine Synthesis in Chronic Schizophrenia: Clinical Ineffectiveness of Metyrosine
Nasrallah et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1977;34:649-655.
ABSTRACT
Overview of Recent Research in Depression: Integration of Ten Conceptual Models Into a Comprehensive Clinical Frame
Akiskal and McKinney
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1975;32:285-305.
ABSTRACT
Amine Precursors and Depression
Mendels et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1975;32:22-30.
ABSTRACT
|
