title: Biological alterations in the primary affective disorders and other tricyclic-responsive disorders.
abstract: Noradrenergic function was studied in patients with primary affective disorder and other tricyclic-responsive disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa and panic attack/agoraphobia in medication-free states. Pre-synaptic noradrenergic activity was assessed by assaying plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (NE) and its metabolite 3-methoxy,4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). Noradrenergic receptor responsiveness was evaluated by measuring plasma growth hormone (GH), MHPG, and NE responses to clonidine. Binding of tritiated dihydroergocriptine (3H-DHE) and biochemical responsiveness of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors were measured in platelet preparations. These studies suggest that noradrenergic activity may be altered in several tricyclic-responsive disorders and are consistent with the possibility that tricyclic antidepressants may serve to stabilize a dysregulated noradrenergic system in patients from several diagnostic categories.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Siever
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Uhde
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Insel
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Jimerson
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lake
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kafka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Targum
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000503:physiopathology; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000378:metabolism; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology; D010200:Panic / Q000502:physiology; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology*; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D014316:Tritium; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D013006:Growth Hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D003000:Clonidine; D009638:Norepinephrine