title: Pain perception threshold in major depression.
abstract: Somatosensory perception threshold (SPT) and pain perception threshold (PPT) were studied in 16 patients with major depression, compared to the findings in an age-matched and gender-matched control group and related to the psychopathological state evaluated by means of the Hamilton Depression Scale. Perception thresholds were assessed by means of a noninvasive high-frequency electric skin stimulation. Absolute perception thresholds were increased in the patients. However, the relative pain perception threshold (RPPT = PPT: SPT) was significantly reduced. RPPT was positively correlated with retardation. It was negatively correlated with anxiety, suggesting that a reduction of pain perception thresholds in depressive patients may be attributed to anxiety and impaired stress-coping.
authors.affiliation: Unit Neurobiology of Functional Psychoses, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Gattaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology