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Noradrenaline uptake inhibition increases melatonin secretion, a measure of noradrenergic neurotransmission, in depressed patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

E. Palazidou ,
A. Papadopoulos ,
H. Ratcliff ,
S. Dawling  and
S. A. Checkley
E. Palazidou*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; and Poisons Unit, New Cross Hospital, London
A. Papadopoulos
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; and Poisons Unit, New Cross Hospital, London
H. Ratcliff
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; and Poisons Unit, New Cross Hospital, London
S. Dawling
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; and Poisons Unit, New Cross Hospital, London
S. A. Checkley
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; and Poisons Unit, New Cross Hospital, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr E. Palazidou, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF.
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Synopsis

Eight patients with endogenous depression who had received no antidepressant treatment for the previous year were treated with the noradrenaline (NA) uptake inhibitor, desipramine (DMI). Pre-treatment plasma melatonin concentrations were normal. After one day of DMI treatment plasma melatonin concentrations were increased but the response was impaired compared to normal subjects. The acute effect of DMI on plasma melatonin persisted after six weeks of treatment. These findings question the hypothesis that beta adrenoceptors are supersensitive in depression and that antidepressant drugs act by down-regulating these receptors.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , May 1992 , pp. 309 - 315
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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