title: Biogenic amines in seasonal affective disorder: effects of light therapy.
abstract: Wintertime measures of central and peripheral monoamine neurotransmitter system activity in 17 medication-free depressed patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) were compared with those in eight healthy volunteers. Mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the principal metabolites of norepinephrine (NE), serotonin, and dopamine did not differ between the two groups, nor did mean basal or orthostatically stimulated plasma NE levels. Patients' pretreatment depression ratings were inversely correlated with resting plasma NE concentrations. Fourteen SAD patients were clear responders to 2 weeks of full-spectrum bright light treatment. Neither the transmitter measures nor their interrelatedness was affected significantly by phototherapy.
authors.affiliation: Unit on Clinical Studies, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Rudorfer
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Skwerer
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010789:Phototherapy; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D009638:Norepinephrine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid