Beta-adrenoceptors in human pineal glands are unaltered in depressed suicides.
We have measured beta-adrenoceptor binding in pineal glands obtained at post mortem from suicides with a firm retrospective diagnosis of depression, and from age and gender-matched controls. In both antidepressant-free and antidepressant-treated suicides there were no significant differences in the number or affinity of beta-adrenoceptors compared to controls. Within the total group of subjects we found no variation in beta-adrenoceptor binding in relation to time of death or season of death. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of beta-adrenoceptors and age in controls, but not in suicides. These results suggest that pineal beta-adrenoceptors are not altered either in depression or as a result of antidepressant treatment.
De Paermentier
F
F
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Lowther
S
S
Crompton
M R
MR
Katona
C L
CL
Horton
R W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons; D013405:Suicide; D013997:Time Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta