Decreased plasma prolactin release in euthymic lithium-treated women with bipolar disorder.
In order to evaluate the effect of treatment with citalopram (CIT) and lithium (Li) on hormone levels in women with bipolar disorder, morning plasma prolactin (PRL) and cortisol (CORT) were measured in 14 nonmedicated depressed patients, 13 depressed patients responding to CIT treatment, 17 euthymic patients on long-term Li treatment, and 11 healthy controls. Plasma PRL values in the Li group were significantly lower than those of the three other groups, suggesting a net inhibitory impact of augmentative effects of Li on dopaminergic activity and serotonergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Plasma CORT values in nonmedicated depressed patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls, indicating hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system in depression, which appears to be a state-dependent phenomenon, and is normalized upon successful treatment with Li and CIT.
El Khoury
Aram
A
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Division of Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Psychiatric Clinic, St. Göran's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. aram.el.khoury@cns.ki.se
Tham
Anne
A
Mathé
Aleksander A
AA
Aberg-Wistedt
Anna
A
Stain-Malmgren
Rigmor
R
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015283:Citalopram; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone