Blunted prolactin response to D-fenfluramine in post-stroke major depression.
BACKGROUND
This study investigated whether patients suffering from post-stroke depressive disorder had a similar disturbance in central serotonergic function to that described in non-brain injured depressed patients.


METHODS
Twenty-three depressed patients (nine major, 14 minor) and 38 non-depressed patients were examined 4-8 weeks post-stroke with a structured interview, rating scales and MRI brain scans. Patients were administered 30 mg D-fenfluramine orally and plasma prolactin and D-fenfluramine concentrations were measured for 6 h post-dose.


RESULTS
The prolactin response was significantly blunted in major depression compared to minor depression and non-depressed patients as measured by both delta prolactin and area under the prolactin versus time curve. There was no significant relationship between prolactin response and lesion lateralization or any of the measured clinical characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
The major limitation of the study is the relatively small number in each depressive group.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients suffering from major depression in the post-stroke period have a blunted prolactin response to D-fenfluramine. This indicates a serotonergic abnormality consistent with that found in major depression where neurological disease is not present.
Morris
Philip
P
Gold Coast District Health Services, Integrated Mental Health Service, PO Box 554, Southport, Queensland 4215, Australia. philip_morris@health.qld.gov.au
Hopwood
Malcolm
M
Maguire
Kay
K
Norman
Trevor
T
Schweitzer
Isaac
I
D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D011388:Prolactin