Beta-phenylethylamine and noradrenergic function in depression.
1. The relationship between plasma levels of beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was investigated in depressive patients. 2. The mean PEA level in plasma in healthy subjects was 1.19 ng/ml (N = 32). No clearly age-related difference was found. The plasma levels of PEA were measured in major depression, but no significant difference was found between healthy and depressive subjects. 3. Plasma levels of MHPG correlated positively with age in healthy subjects (N = 22, R = 0.71, p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference in MHPG levels between healthy subjects and depressive patients. 4. There was no significant correlation between PEA and MHPG levels in healthy subjects; however, in depressive patients, there was a significant negative correlation between plasma PEA levels and plasma MHPG levels (N = 14, R = -0.73, p less than 0.05). These results suggested that PEA may regulate noradrenergic function in depression.
Nakagawara
M
M
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Yamanashi Medical College, Japan.
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000097:blood*; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D010627:Phenethylamines; C029261:phenethylamine; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D010625:Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase; D009638:Norepinephrine