title: [Therapeutic implications of the biochemical features about depressive illness (author's transl)].
abstract: The biochemical features of depressions able to guide the prescription of antidepressants are seen through a review of the literature. The papers were mainly focused on the peripheral catabolites of brain monoamines. Depressions characterized by low levels of 5 HIAA in the C.S.F. would predict a better efficacy of the antidepressants acting on the re-uptake of serotonin. The dosage of urinary MHPG seems to be a valuable index for the choice of the drug. Subjects with low levels response better to IMI, DE-IMI and NT, and those with normal levels to AMI. COMT activity and platelet MAO activity are may be a valuable index for the predictivity of the therapeutic results. Finally, the dexamethasone suppression test can be useful in order to guide the length of the treatment.
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008094:Lithium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000652:urine; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D008094:Lithium; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D003913:Dextroamphetamine
vernacular_title: Implications thérapeutiques de la caractérisation biochimique des dépressions.