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5-HT neuroendocrine function in major depression: prolactin and cortisol responses to D-fenfluramine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

S. B. G. Park ,
D. J. Williamson  and
P. J. Cowen
S. B. G. Park
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
D. J. Williamson
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
P. J. Cowen*
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr P. J. Cowen, University Department of Psychiatry, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford OX4 4XN.
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Synopsis

We studied the prolactin and cortisol responses to the 5-HT releasing agent, D-fenfluramine in 31 drug-free depressed patients and 29 healthy controls, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. There was no difference in either endocrine response between depressives and controls. Examining the sexes separately, or restricting comparisons to patients with melancholic depression, did not lead to any differences between the groups. Our findings suggest that in contrast to other 5-HT neuroendocrine probes such as L-tryptophan and clomipramine, the prolactin response to fenfluramine are not consistently blunted in depressed patients.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 26 , Issue 6 , November 1996 , pp. 1191 - 1196
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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