Monoamine oxidase and cortisol response in depression and schizophrenia.
The relationship between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was examined in drug-free depressed (n = 32) and schizophrenic (n = 36) inpatients. HPA function was measured by determining plasma cortisol levels at 8:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. before, and 8:30 a.m., 4 p.m., and 11 p.m. after administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone (DEX). There was a significant correlation between platelet MAO activity and all post-DEX cortisol levels (8:30 a.m., 4 a.m., and 11 p.m.) in depressed patients, and MAO activity and pre-DEX cortisol levels (11 p.m.) in schizophrenic patients. MAO activity was significantly higher in depressed DST nonsuppressors than in suppressors, and there were more DST nonsuppressors in high-MAO groups as compared with low-MAO groups. Our results thus suggest a strong relationship between platelet MAO activity and HPA function in depressed patients. These biochemical markers are potentially useful in the identification of biochemically and clinically homogeneous subgroups of depressed patients.
Pandey
G N
GN
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago.
Sharma
R P
RP
Janicak
P G
PG
Davis
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D003907:Dexamethasone; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D006854:Hydrocortisone