title: Alpha 2-adrenoceptor responsivity in depression: effect of chronic treatment with moclobemide, a selective MAO-A-inhibitor, versus maprotiline.
abstract: The effect of chronic treatment with the selective and reversible MAO-A-inhibitor moclobemide (MOC) vs. the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor maprotiline (MAP) on alpha 2-adrenoceptor responsivity was studied by clonidine (CLON)-evoked growth hormone (GH) release in major depressive disorder. Compared to matched controls the depressed patients showed attenuated CLON-induced GH responses before treatment with MOC or MAP. Chronic treatment with both MOC and MAP significantly improved the depressive symptomatology. Although a trend toward increased GH responses to CLON was demonstrated after treatment in both groups, neither MOC nor MAP had a complete effect on restoration of alpha 2-adrenoceptor responsivity. No difference in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) plasma concentrations before and after treatment with MOC or MAP was found. Our results support the view that antidepressants with different mechanisms of action may be capable of restoring alpha 2-adrenoceptor function during recovery from a major depressive episode.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lesch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laux
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001549:Benzamides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003000:Clonidine; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008376:Maprotiline / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020912:Moclobemide; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D008376:Maprotiline; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D003000:Clonidine; D020912:Moclobemide