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Decreased 5-HT-Mediated Prolactin Release in Major Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

I. M. Anderson ,
C. J. Ware ,
J. M. da Roza Davis  and
P. J. Cowen
I. M. Anderson
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry and MRC Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford OX4 4XN
C. J. Ware
Affiliation:
Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
J. M. da Roza Davis
Affiliation:
Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
P. J. Cowen*
Affiliation:
Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

The prolactin response to intravenous clomipramine, a 5-HT uptake inhibitor, was significantly attenuated in 12 patients with major depression. In contrast, in a further 12 depressed patients, the PRL responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which acts directly on the pituitary to release PRL, were not reduced. These findings suggest that the reduction in 5-HT-mediated PRL release seen in depressed patients is due to an impairment of brain 5-HT function rather than a pituitary abnormality.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 160 , Issue 3 , March 1992 , pp. 372 - 378
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1992 

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