title: Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity in depressed patients: relation between 3H-yohimbine binding to platelet membranes and clonidine-induced hypotension.
abstract: Alpha 2-adrenergic receptor changes during antidepressant treatment were studied using 3H-yohimbine binding to human platelet membranes and clonidine-induced hypotension. Twenty-six patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) participated for 4-6 weeks in a trial of imipramine (2.5 mg/kg/day), tyrosine (100 mg/kg/day), or placebo. Alpha 2-adrenergic receptors measured by 3H-yohimbine binding were not significantly changed following antidepressant treatment. Similarly, clonidine-induced hypotension did not differ significantly following treatment. No measure of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor sensitivity was significantly correlated with clinical improvement. The correlation between platelet receptor binding and clonidine-induced hypotension was not statistically significant, even though both tests are considered to be measures of alpha 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Harvard University Cambridge, MA 02138.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Gelenberg
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lydiard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003000:Clonidine; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000097:blood*; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D015016:Yohimbine; D014443:Tyrosine; D003000:Clonidine; D007099:Imipramine