title: Monoamines and cortisol as potential mediators of the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms.
abstract: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of exercise plus pharmacotherapy on monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, serotonin) and cortisol levels. A total of 26 women with clinical depression were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: aerobic exercise plus pharmacotherapy or only pharmacotherapy. The exercise program consisted of aerobic exercise, 45-50 min/session, three times/week, for 16 weeks. The biological parameters were measured before and after the exercise program. Adding exercise to pharmacotherapy had no additional effects on monoamines and cortisol plasma levels. These data are preliminary outcomes from a small sample and should be replicated.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research, Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal. larafcarneiro@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lara S F
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research, Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta dos Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Paula
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry and Mental Health Clinic, Centro Hospitalar São João, Porto, Portugal.|Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria Augusta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vieira-Coelho
authors.affiliation: REQUIMTE, LAQV/Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rita C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: António Manuel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Department of Education and Psychology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos-Raposo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000097:blood*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine
keywords: Aerobic exercise; Catecholamines; Cortisol; Depression; Women