Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fenfluramine (d-FEN) has been used as a serotonin challenge agent to assess central serotonin availability. Blunted serum prolactin (PRL) response to d-FEN has been reported in depressed patients, in suicide-prone patients, and in patients with aggression and personality disorders. We have analyzed suicidality in relation to central serotonergic events by comparing the PRL response to d-FEN in chronically depressed patients with and without suicide attempts and in healthy volunteers.
METHODS: In 56 inpatients (10 patients with and 46 without suicide attempts) with at least 2 years of treatment-refractory depression (TRD) (DSM-IV) and a reference group of 30 healthy adults, the PRL response after an oral dose of 30 mg d-FEN was followed for 5 h.
RESULTS: Controlling for group differences in age, sex, and weight, the PRL response to d-FEN did not differ significantly between the three groups. Far from confirming the hypothesis of a blunted PRL response in depressed patients, our results suggest: (1) that duration and treatment resistance of depression may affect the PRL secretion, and (2) that TRD and major depression may differ in biological relationship to suicidal behavior.
LIMITATIONS: The findings require corroboration in larger and more closely matched study populations. The fenfluramine concentration was not analyzed in blood.
CONCLUSIONS: PRL responses to d-FEN challenge did not differ between TRD patients with and without suicidality and the healthy reference group. Chronicity/treatment refractoriness per se may be related to a serotonergic mechanism.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Journal of Affective Disorders |
Vol/bind | 57 |
Udgave nummer | 1-3 |
Sider (fra-til) | 201-8 |
Antal sider | 8 |
ISSN | 0165-0327 |
Status | Udgivet - 10 mar. 2000 |
Udgivet eksternt | Ja |