Parenteral clomipramine challenge in depressed adolescents: mood and neuroendocrine response.
BACKGROUND
Major depressive disorder (MDD) in the adolescent demonstrates a unique clinical profile, and pathogenic serotonergic dysregulation is hypothesized. Parenteral clomipramine (CMI) is known to distinguish adult MDD from control, but neurochallenge data are lacking in adolescent MDD.


METHODS
Thirteen drug-free outpatient adolescents who met DSM-III-R criteria for MDD were compared to adolescent controls by acute neuroendocrine and mood response to 12.5 mg of parenteral CMI.


RESULTS
Repeated measures analysis revealed significant changes from baseline for sadness (p < .01) between groups, with normal controls increasing sadness rating after CMI. Prolactin (PRL) maximum change score from baseline was decreased in MDD relative to controls (p < .05). Gender effects on PRL were evident in controls but not in MDD.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of PRL blunting in adolescent MDD mirrors previous work in adults. A unique finding is the induction of sadness in normal adolescent controls after CMI infusion.
Sallee
F R
FR
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29403, USA.
Vrindavanam
N S
NS
Deas-Nesmith
D
D
Odom
A M
AM
Carson
S W
SW
Sethuraman
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002997:Clomipramine; D013006:Growth Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors