title: Increased plasma norepinephrine concentration in psychotic depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We previously found psychotic depression (PSDEP) to have positively correlating plasma norepinephrine (NE) and vasopressin (AVP) concentrations. Since central noradrenergic activity and plasma NE concentration are highly correlated, this suggests an increased noradrenergic activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. We hypothesize the increased release of NE in PSDEP to be an associated mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  To test this hypothesis we analyzed the relation between plasma NE and PSDEP in a comparison with non-psychotically depressed patients. Potentially confounding variables were, among others, melancholia and two better validated subcategories in the field of melancholia and endogenous depression, three global dimensions of psychopathology - Emotional Dysregulation, Retardation and Anxiety - smoking habit, and different types of psychotropic and particularly antidepressant treatment. The data from nine patients with PSDEP and 69 patients with non-PSDEP were reanalysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of covariance controlling for the effects of tricyclic antidepressant treatment (≥100 mg) and smoking habit showed that PSDEP had an increased concentration of plasma NE. The previously found correlation between plasma NE and AVP was still present after correcting for the effects of confounding variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest an increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system in PSDEP that may act as a specific mechanism for increased vasopressinergic activation. This supports the view of PSDEP as a distinct subcategory of major depression.
authors: Jaap G
authors: JG
authors: Goekoop
authors: Remco F P
authors: RF
authors: de Winter
authors: Ron
authors: R
authors: Wolterbeek
authors: Godfried M J
authors: GM
authors: Van Kempen
authors: Victor M
authors: VM
authors: Wiegant
keywords: norepinephrine; psychotic depression; smoking; tricyclic antidepressant; vasopressin
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