Biochemie der Depression

Abstract

SummaryZusammenfassungBiochemistry of Depression 1. The amount of 5-HIES in the nervous system of patients suffer from endogenous depression and mania is less than in healthy controls, i.e. there is a lack of functional 5-HT. However, this functional 5-HT deficit does not depend on the given phase as far as initial studies go. Till now it has not been completely clarified as to which degree a compensation of the functional 5-HT deficit, by the various means (pharmacotherapie and electroconvulsion) is needed to counteract the depression.2. Indications of lowered catecholamine turnover have been reported during the depressive phase or state after a misuse of amphetamines. It is, however, not sure whether the lower NE turnover is of peripheral or central origin and in how much the motor activity influences the results during the depressive or normothymic state.3. During the manic phase the catecholamine turnover especially the NA turnover is increased. The provocation of manic phases by means of dopa points to close ties of the catecholamines to mania.4. In the depression peripheral factors like hormones and certain enzyme systems are concerned in a different way, but a causative connection to the depression is not yet substantiated.In spite of a considerable progress in biochemical researches on depression which cleared up some important, mainly methodical, questions we are still far from solving the question regarding the biochemical mechanism of depression. The interpretation of partly contradictory results on urine and cerebro spinal fluid brings forth still great difficulties. Till now nobody approached to enlighten the reason of one or the other hypothetic metabolic disturbance in depression. Many processes even of the normal nervous system have not been understood and are far from being clear, particularly 224 N. Matussek: the control of cyclic events which is of special importance in the case of depression. Extensive efforts will be necessary to prove or disprove these simple and evident looking theories such as the 5-HT and NA hypotheses of depression.

The daily rhythm of HVA, VMA, (VA) and 5-HIAA in depressionsyndrom

“…Therefore those studies on precursors and these urine-studies on metabolics indicate, that there may be no decrease in catecholamine-turnover during nightphase. This circadian dysrhythm could be of interest in explaining the sleeplessness during the early morning, whether it is important to note, that alterations in plasma-L-tyrosine-concentrations are said to have no influence on brain catecholamin-synthesis because of the Ku of tyrosine-hydroxylase (Matussek, 1972).…”

The tyrosine-tryptophan-diagram in a longtime study with depressed patients

“…The causes of such false regulations, that is just the question and were discussed by many authors (Birkmayer, 1968(Birkmayer, , 1970Klernpel, 1972;Curzon, 1969aCurzon, , b, c, 1972Coppen, 1972Coppen, , 1972aFrancesconi, 1971;Bartholini, 1970;Schildkraut, 1972;Matussek, 1972 ;Murphy, 1972); see also the literature of the introduction.…”

“…The biochemistry of depression furthermore is reviewed by Matussek (1972), Carroll (1971) and Murphy (1972). Birkmayer et aI.…”

Die Genetik der Psychosen unter verändertem Aspekt

“…Die Depressiven zeigen einen deutlich verringerten Sero toninumsatz (17). Das Defizit an diesem wichtigen Neurotransmitter, das auch in den verschiedensten Hirnregionen nachgewiesen worden ist (17), kann durch abnorm geringe Enzymleistungen in seiner Synthese (Abb.…”

“…Die Depressiven zeigen einen deutlich verringerten Sero toninumsatz (17). Das Defizit an diesem wichtigen Neurotransmitter, das auch in den verschiedensten Hirnregionen nachgewiesen worden ist (17), kann durch abnorm geringe Enzymleistungen in seiner Synthese (Abb. 1, links) -Hydroxy- Wie an anderer Stelle ausführlich erörtert (14), Auch in der manischen Phase ist der Serotoninumsatz deutlich verringert (17), ein Befund, dessen Interpretation sich nicht von den Überlegungen unter scheidet, die zuvor für die Depression angestellt worden sind.…”