Biological Aspects of Depression
- 1 January 1986
- journal article
- review article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Psychopathology
- Vol. 19 (2) , 66-71
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000285135
Abstract
Several neuroendocrine studies with the clonidine-growth hormone stimulation test show endogenous depressive patients to have a reduced GH response as compared to neurotic depressives, schizophrenics and controls. The blunted GH response to clonidine seems to be a trait marker or vulnerability factor for mono- and bipolar endogenous depression. It could be explained by a reduced postsynaptic Α2-adrenoceptor sensitivity or of structures related to them. The sensitivity of Α2-adrenoceptors is influenced by both, the endorphinergic and cholinergic systems. First results supporting this concept are presented and discussed.Keywords
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