title: A neuroendocrine study of stereotactic sub-caudate tractotomy.
abstract: The growth hormone and hypotensive responses to clonidine have been measured in six drug free severely depressed patients before, and at two weeks after, the surgical procedure of stereotactic sub-caudate tractotomy. The responses were unaltered two weeks after operation, by which time a small clinical improvement was evident. These findings are discussed in relation to central alpha adrenoceptor functions in depression, and the effect upon this of antidepressant treatment.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002421:Caudate Nucleus; D003000:Clonidine; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011612:Psychosurgery; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003000:Clonidine