Post-partum Depression and the Effect of Nomifensine Treatment

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the difference in certain hormonal and biochemical parameters in post-partum depressed women and age and status matched post-partum, non-depressed controls and (b) study the effect of 6 weeks treatment with nomifensine on these parameters in the depressed group. The parameters examined were: plasma oestradiol, progesterone and prolactin concentrations, platelet 3H-serotonin uptake and α-2 adrenoceptor density and lymphocyte ß-adrenoceptor densities. There was a significant decrease in platelet serotonin uptake rate in the depressed pre-treatment group as compared to controls. Six weeks treatment with nomifensine normalized the rate of uptake in the depressed group. Lymphocyte ß-adrenoceptor density was increased in the untreated depressed group as compared to the control group. This difference was also eliminated by 6 weeks of nomifensine treatment. Both plasma prolactin levels and platelet α-adrenoceptor density were decreased in the depressed group following 6 weeks treatment with nomifensine. There was no difference between the untreated depressed and control groups in any of the other parameters studied.

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