Prolactin in winter depression.
Women with winter depression have low serum prolactin concentration that is independent of both season and efficient bright light treatment administered in winter. A defect of neural pathways afferent to the paraventricular nucleus may explain these findings. Estrogen is thought to play a key role in modulation of the rhythmic responses in winter depression.
Partonen
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University Central Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Lapinlahdentie, Helsinki, Finland.
D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D004967:Estrogens; D011388:Prolactin