title: Blunted prolactin response to D-fenfluramine in post-stroke major depression.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Gold Coast District Health Services, Integrated Mental Health Service, PO Box 554, Southport, Queensland 4215, Australia. philip_morris@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hopwood
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; D011388:Prolactin