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Important Implications for Neuroendocrine Investigations in Depression

Guy M. Goodwin, MRCPsych; Christopher G. Fairburn, MRCPsych; Philip J. Cowen, MRCPsych

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1987;44(11):952-957.

Abstract
• The increases in the growth hormone (GH) level following intravenous infusion of the 5-hydroxytryptamine precursor tryptophan, the 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine hydrochloride, and subcutaneous injection of the dopamine agonist apomorphine hydrochloride were determined in volunteers before and in the third week of a weight-reducing diet (1200 kcal/d). The increases in the prolactin level following intravenous infusion of tryptophan and in response to protirelin were also determined. In male subjects, the GH responses to tryptophan and apomorphine were markedly increased by dieting; while also significantly increased, the GH responses to clonidine were much less affected. Female subjects showed similar trends in the GH responses to tryptophan and clonidine. In male subjects, prolactin responses to tryptophan and protirelin were not increased by dieting. In females, the prolactin response to protirelin was similarly not increased, but the prolactin response to tryptophan was markedly enhanced. These results are relevant to the use of neuroendocrine tests in depression. In addition, they suggest different effects of weight loss on neurotransmitter function in men and women.

Author Affiliations
From the University Department of Psychiatry (Drs Goodwin and Fairburn) and Medical Research Council Unit of Clinical Pharmacology (Dr Cowen), Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, England. Dr Goodwin was a Medical Research Council Clinical Training Fellow, and Dr Fairburn is a Wellcome Trust Senior Lecturer.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 1, 1987.

Reprint requests to Medical Research Council Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Place, Edinburgh, Scotland EH10 5HF (Dr Goodwin).

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