Studies on biogenic amine metabolizing enzymes (DBH, COMT, MAO) and pathogenesis of affective illness.

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Abstract
On the basis of studies carried out with a group of 47 patients with endogenous depressive illness, lower plasma activity of dopamine-.beta.-hydroxylase (DBH) was found as compared with a control group (31 healthy persons). Lower DBH activity particularly characterized bipolar patients. Lowest DBH activity was found in patients with a family history of psychiatric disorders, in particular, affective illness (in comparison with the control group the difference was statistically significant, P < 0.05). In a period of remission or significant improvement the enzymatic activity increased, although in some cases the level of activity was still lower than in the control group. There was a correlation between activity of the enzyme and clinical course of the illness and susceptibility to antidepressive drugs. Most of the observed phenomena were related to male patients. Changes in DBH activity may play a role in the pathogenesis of depression and DBH deserves further studies, also of genetic nature.