title: Platelet α2-adrenoreceptors in depression: a critical examination.
abstract: During the past decade, results from radioligand studies comparing platelet α(2)-adrenoreceptors in depressed patients and healthy volunteers have been inconsistent, especially when related to the known functional characteristics of these receptors. Despite the availability of radioligands for α(2)-adrenoreceptors, inherent methodological problems exist which make data from these studies difficult to interpret. The authors review the overall data from radioligand studies using [(3)H] clonidine and [(3)H] yohimbine of platelet α(2)-adrenoreceptors in depressed patients and healthy volunteers. Theoretical and methodological issues are critically examined in the light of recent findings. Finally, alternative strategies for studying α( 2)-adrenoreceptors in clinical populations are considered.
authors.affiliation: Section on Clinical Pharmacology, Experimental Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grossman
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Manji
authors.forename: W Z
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Potter