Beta-adrenergic receptor function in affective illness

Abstract
The response of cyclic[c]AMP synthesis to in vitro addition of norepinephrine and isoproterenol (IP) was determined in leukocytes of patients with affective illness and schizophrenia and of normal controls. IP-stimulated increase in 3H-cAMP synthesis in depressed patients was significantly lower than in normal subjects and schizophrenic patients. .beta.-adrenergic receptor sensitivity is apparently reduced in depressive illness.