title: Neuroendocrine response to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine and ipsapirone in relation to anxiety and aggression.
abstract: The aim of this study was to establish the association of trait anxiety and anger with hormonal responses to acute challenges with two different 5-HT agonists in a mixed group of patients with depressed mood. Fifteen patients and 16 normal controls received single oral doses of 0.5 mg/kg meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), a 5-HT(2C) agonist, and 10 mg of ipsapirone, a 5-HT(1A) agonist, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Dutch-adapted versions of the Spielberger Trait-Anxiety Inventory and the Spielberger Trait-Anger Scale administered assessed at study entry. Hormonal responses, expressed as drug-placebo differences, to MCPP and ipsapirone (changes in cortisol, ACTH and prolactin) were measured. Blood levels of MCPP and ipsapirone were also measured. MCPP and ipsapirone elevated cortisol, ACTH and prolactin. In the patient group, there was a significant correlation between trait anxiety and the cortisol response to MCPP. No significant correlations between the ACTH and prolactin responses to MCPP and levels of anxiety/anger were observed in the patients. No significant correlations could be established between levels of anxiety/anger and hormonal responses to ipsapirone. This study provided evidence for an association between measures of anxiety/aggression and the hormonal response to MCPP. Thus, in subjects with depressed mood, high levels of anxiety suggest a higher probability of 5-HT(2C) disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. rstkvelden@hetnet.nl
authors.forename: Tineke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klaassen
authors.forename: Wim J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Herman M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: van Praag
authors.forename: Paul P C A
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Menheere
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Griez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C043077:ipsapirone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine; D006854:Hydrocortisone