Background. Abnormalities in different parameters of the norepinephrine system have been widely described in major depression. The presence of alpha (2)-adrenoreceptors in blood platelets, similar to,those in the brain, prompted us to evaluate them in depressed patients, as compared with healthy controls. Methods. Fifteen outpatients affected by major depression, according to DSM IV criteria, and 15 comparable healthy control subjects, were included in the study. The, alpha (2)-adrenoreceptors were measured by means of the specific binding of DSM IV rauwolscine, a high ly selective antagonist for th is receptor sub-type. The severity of depression was assessed by means of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression: (HRSD). Results. The results did not show any difference in [H-3]rauwolscine binding parameters (B-max and K-d) between patients and controls. However, in! the patients, a significant and positive correlation between B-max, which measures the density of the receptors, and HRSD total score was detected. Conclusions: Therefore, although no change in alpha (2)-adrenoreceptors seems to occur in major depression, the density of these receptors would seem to be related to the severity of depressive symptoms. Copyright (C) 2001 S. KargerAG, Basel.

Correlation between platelet alpha(2)-adrenoreceptors and symptom severity in major depression

GIANNACCINI, GINO;BETTI, LAURA;LUCACCHINI, ANTONIO;CASSANO, GIOVANNI BATTISTA
2001-01-01

Abstract

Background. Abnormalities in different parameters of the norepinephrine system have been widely described in major depression. The presence of alpha (2)-adrenoreceptors in blood platelets, similar to,those in the brain, prompted us to evaluate them in depressed patients, as compared with healthy controls. Methods. Fifteen outpatients affected by major depression, according to DSM IV criteria, and 15 comparable healthy control subjects, were included in the study. The, alpha (2)-adrenoreceptors were measured by means of the specific binding of DSM IV rauwolscine, a high ly selective antagonist for th is receptor sub-type. The severity of depression was assessed by means of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression: (HRSD). Results. The results did not show any difference in [H-3]rauwolscine binding parameters (B-max and K-d) between patients and controls. However, in! the patients, a significant and positive correlation between B-max, which measures the density of the receptors, and HRSD total score was detected. Conclusions: Therefore, although no change in alpha (2)-adrenoreceptors seems to occur in major depression, the density of these receptors would seem to be related to the severity of depressive symptoms. Copyright (C) 2001 S. KargerAG, Basel.
2001
Marazziti, D; Baroni, S; Masala, I; Di Nasso, E; Giannaccini, Gino; Betti, Laura; Lucacchini, Antonio; Cassano, GIOVANNI BATTISTA
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/178113
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