title: Postsynaptic serotonergic activity in depressive patients: evaluation of the neuroendocrine strategy.
abstract: The possible occurrence of hypersensitive postsynaptic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) receptors in depressive patients was investigated using a neuroendocrine strategy: determination of neuroendocrine parameters after activation of the serotonergic system. Activation was achieved by oral administration of l-tryptophan and l-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). The neuroendocrine parameters measured were the plasma concentrations of prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, and cortisol. Since administration of 5-HT precursors caused no significant change in the hormone concentrations, evaluation of neuroendocrine function after stimulation with 5-HT precursors does not appear to provide a reliable index of human postsynaptic serotonergic activity.
mesh_terms: D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014364:Tryptophan
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D011388:Prolactin; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006916:5-Hydroxytryptophan; D006854:Hydrocortisone