title: The influence of alprazolam on the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems in dysthymic patients. Relationship to clinical response.
abstract: The effects of alprazolam (1.5 mg/die) on the levels of the monoaminergic neurotransmitter metabolites, on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and on clinical outcome in subjects with primary late-onset dysthymia were investigated. Drug treatment significantly decreased plasma and urinary cortisol levels, serotonin platelet-bound and urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations, while it increased plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations. Significant relationships were observed between neurochemicals and global scores or some items of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, before and after treatment. Patients responded positively (73%) to the therapy; clinical outcome was significantly correlated with plasma and urinary HVA levels. Collected data seem to support the hypothesis that central monoaminergic systems are in part involved in therapeutic response to alprazolam.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santagostino
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cucchi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frattini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zerbi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preda
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Corona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000097:blood*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D018757:GABA Modulators; D012701:Serotonin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine; D000525:Alprazolam