Lithium increases 5-HT-mediated neuroendocrine responses in tricyclic resistant depression.
The addition of lithium to the tricyclic antidepressant medication of 11 depressed patients resulted in an increase in the prolactin response to L-tryptophan after both 4 days and 4 weeks of lithium treatment. There was also a significant fall in Hamilton Depression scores. The results suggest that lithium and tricyclic antidepressants may act synergistically to enhance certain aspects of brain 5-HT function in depressed patients.
Cowen
P J
PJ
MRC Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, UK.
McCance
S L
SL
Cohen
P R
PR
Julier
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000494:pharmacology
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D011388:Prolactin; D008094:Lithium