title: Do low levels of MHPG in depressive spectrum patients normalize after successful treatment?
abstract: Patients with depressive spectrum disorder (DSD) have low levels of the norepinephrine metabolite, MHPG. This study examines what happens to the low levels of MHPG following improvement of depressive symptoms. Sixteen depressed patients with a family history consistent with DSD showed no change in MHPG after 6 weeks of treatment. This was true for both treatment responders and nonresponders. The lack of change in low levels of MHPG suggests that reduced norepinephrine turnover is a biological trait of DSD patients. Implications of this finding are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Garvey
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Tuason
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000652:urine*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D007099:Imipramine; D009638:Norepinephrine