Cyclic AMP Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Manic-Melancholic Patients

Abstract

The concentrations of adenosine 3’5’-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in manic-melancholic patients were studied. As control groups served patients suffering from other psychiatric disorders as well as neurological and ortho-pedic patients. The results showed no difference between the various diagnostic groups, including melancholic versus manic patients, unipolar versus bipolar types. The severity of the affective states measured by rating scales showed no correlation to cyclic AMP levels in CSF. The cyclic AMP levels were apparently not influenced by electroconvulsive therapy or treatment with lithium, neuroleptica, or tricyclic antidepressants.

Cyclic AMP in cerebrospinal fluid of manic and depressive patients

“…While these speculations may be of theoretical interest, the bulk of the findings in this study, including the correlational and probenecid data, do not support the idea of increased c-AMP in depression. This conclusion is consistent with the work of Robinson et al (1970) and Geisler et al (1977). Moreover, in further NIMH studies of cyclic nucleotides in CSF, there were not significant differences in either c-AMP or c-GMP among depressed, manic and schizophrenic patients and controls (Smith et al 1976).…”