title: [Melatonin. Chronobiologic peripheral endocrine index in depressive states].
abstract: The chronobiological studies with melatonin constitute valid arguments to consider melatonin as a peripheral index of depressive disorders. In a group of patients with major depression, we reported a lowering of melatonin nocturnal plasma levels, associated with cortisol hypersecretion. A similar lowering of melatonin was observed in a group of patients with cluster headaches, but without quantitative modification of cortisol secretion. Other studies are necessary in order to determine wether melatonin may be considered as a "state marker" of depression itself or a marker of the genetic vulnerability to depression.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000097:blood; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D004723:Endorphins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C018903:gamma-endorphin, des-Tyr(1)-; D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone
vernacular_title: La mélatonine. Index endocrinien périphérique chronobiologique dans les états dépressifs?