Depression, Hypertension, and Serum Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase Activity

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Abstract
Serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was measured in a heterogeneous sample of 290 outpatients awaiting medical, surgical, or psychiatric appointments at a Veterans Administration Hospital. All patients were assessed for depressive symptomatology by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and for elevated diastolic blood pressure (BP ≥ 90 mm Hg). Elevated DBH activity was associated with SDS scores ≥ 60. No statistical association was found between DBH activity and diastolic BP. Two pharmacological agents, alpha-methyl-DOPA and minor tranquilizers, also were associated with significant alterations in serum DBH activity.

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