Biogenic Amines and Depression

Maas, James W.

doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1975.01760290025002

Cited by 347 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…[70][71][72] Of course, depression is likely a biochemically heterogeneous disorder, such that the neurochemical underpinnings for the illness, as well as the symptom profile exhibited, vary across subjects. 66,73 Moreover, given the abnormal responses to various endocrine challenges (eg, the dexamethasone suppression test (DST), CRH, as well as thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) challenges), there is reason to suppose that hormonal variations contribute to the provocation or expression of depressive symptoms, and that considerable interindividual variability exists with respect to the contribution of these endocrine factors. [74][75][76][77] It has been suggested that stressful events or failure experiences are associated with depressive illness.…”

Section: Biological Aspects Of Dysthymiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Dysthymia: a review of pharmacological and behavioral factors

et al. 2000

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Although dysthymia, a chronic, low-grade form of depression, has a morbidity rate as high as that of major depression, and increases the risk for major depressive disorder, limited information is available concerning the etiology of this illness. In the present report we review literature concerning the biological and characterological features of dysthymia, the effectiveness of antidepressant treatments, the influence of stressors in the precipitation and maintenance of the disorder, and both quality of life and psychosocial correlates of the illness. We also provisionally suggest that dysthymia may stem from disturbances of neuroendocrine and neurotransmitter functioning (eg, corticotropin releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin within the hypothalamus, or alternatively monoamine variations within several extrahypothalamic sites), and may also involve cytokine activation. The central disturbances may reflect phenotypic variations of neuroendocrine processes or sensitization of such mechanisms. It is suggested that chronic stressor experiences or stressors encountered early in life lead to the phenotypic neurochemical alterations, which then favor the development of the dysthymic state. Owing to the persistence of the neurochemical disturbances, vulnerability to double depression is increased, and in this instance treatment with antidepressants may attenuate the symptoms of major depression but not those of the basal dysthymic state. Moreover, the residual features of depression following treatment may be indicative of underlying neurochemical disturbances, and may also serve to increase the probability of illness recurrence or relapse. Molecular Psychiatry (2000) 5, 242-261.

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Section: Biological Aspects Of Dysthymiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Dysthymia: a review of pharmacological and behavioral factors

et al. 2000

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“…Of all metabolites of noradrenalin in the urine, it is MHPG which is alleged to provide the most reliable indicator of noradren alin in the brain (Maas et al, 1968;Maas, 1975). It has been found that a diagnostically heterogeneous group of hospitalized depressed patients excreted less urinary MHPG than healthy subjects (Maas, 1975).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response to Amitriptyline and Urinary MHPG in Bipolar Depressive Patients

Modai¹,

Apter²,

Golomb³

et al. 1979

Neuropsychobiology

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This investigation was done in order to test the hypothesis that urinary MHPG levels provide a predictor of response to therapy in depressed patients. 15 elderly biopolar depressives were included in this study. Their depressive state was estimated by the Hamilton Depressive Scale and their urinary MHPG levels were simultaneously measured before and after 5 weeks of amitriptyline therapy. When comparing amitriptyline responders to nonresponders by parametric techniques, the responders excreted significantly higher mean MHPG levels before the treatment than the nonresponders. During treatment MHPG levels rose significantly in both groups.

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“…As a reasonable effect, the level of psychopathology could be lowered, by a mechanism similar to the action of certain psychotropic medications, which is the accumulation of neurotransmitters [29]. Another alternative could be that a low prebiopsy psychopathology score in IBC patients is possibly accompanied by several additional psychosocial factors that are reported to affect outcome, such as stressful events [10, 11], social support [24, 30]and the cancer-prone personality, referred to also as ‘type C’ coping style or pattern [31].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low Psychopathology Scores in the Prognosis of Breast Cancer

Trikas

Vlachonikolis

Samonis³

et al. 2002

Psychother Psychosom

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Background: Research findings regarding the influence of psychopathology on cancer progression are not yet clear. This preliminary report investigates the severity of psychopathology assessed before biopsy in patients with invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) and its association with two follow-up outcomes: disease-free (to first recurrence) and survival periods. Method: The psychiatric assessment of 80 patients under 70 years old was established by means of an interview before biopsy. The DSM-IV criteria were used to establish the past and current psychiatric diagnoses. The Present State Examination (PSE)-Index of Definition (ID)-computer program (CATEGO) was used to define total PSE score, clusters of psychiatric symptoms (psychiatric syndromes) and current clinical severity (ID). The independent influence of biological prognostic factors and psychiatric variables on first recurrence or survival period was tested using Cox’s proportional hazards regression model. Results: After biopsy, 38 IBC patients were followed up for 3–8¹/₃ years. During this period, 8 patients died from IBC and 7 were alive with metastatic disease. Cox’s proportional hazards regression analyses showed that tumor diameter and low ID were independent significant predictors of early recurrence, whereas tumor diameter, negative estrogen receptors and low ID were independent significant predictors of survival. Conclusions: A low prebiopsy psychopathology score in IBC is a predictor of early recurrence and short survival.

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Biogenic Amines and Depression

Cited by 347 publications

References 64 publications

Dysthymia: a review of pharmacological and behavioral factors

Dysthymia: a review of pharmacological and behavioral factors

Response to Amitriptyline and Urinary MHPG in Bipolar Depressive Patients

Low Psychopathology Scores in the Prognosis of Breast Cancer

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