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Lithium in Tricyclic-Resistant Depression Correlation of Increased Brain 5-HT Function with Clinical Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

P. J. Cowen ,
S. L. McCance ,
C. J. Ware ,
P. R. Cohen ,
J. S. Chalmers  and
D. L Julier
P. J. Cowen*
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
S. L. McCance
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
C. J. Ware
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
P. R. Cohen
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
J. S. Chalmers
Affiliation:
Elms Clinic, Banbury
D. L Julier
Affiliation:
Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
*
∗Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford OX4 4XN
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Abstract

The addition of lithium to the tricyclic antidepressant medication of 23 patients with major depression resulted in an increase in the prolactin response to intravenous l-tryptophan after both four days and four weeks of treatment. The extent of this increase did not distinguish the ten patients who were classified as clinical responders (> 50% reduction in score on the HRSD). Among the responders there was a modestly significant correlation between the decrease in score on the HRSD and the enhancement of tryptophan-induced prolactin release. Some responders, however, showed very little change in this endocrine response over the four weeks of lithium treatment. Lithium may increase brain 5-HT function in tricyclic-resistant depression but there is only limited support for the hypothesis that changes in brain 5-HT function are involved in the antidepressant effect of this treatment combination.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 159 , Issue 3 , September 1991 , pp. 341 - 346
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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