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Lithium in Tricyclic-Resistant Depression Correlation of Increased Brain 5-HT Function with Clinical Outcome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

P. J. Cowen*
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
S. L. McCance
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
C. J. Ware
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
P. R. Cohen
Affiliation:
Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
J. S. Chalmers
Affiliation:
Elms Clinic, Banbury
D. L Julier
Affiliation:
Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
*
Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford OX4 4XN

Abstract

The addition of lithium to the tricyclic antidepressant medication of 23 patients with major depression resulted in an increase in the prolactin response to intravenous l-tryptophan after both four days and four weeks of treatment. The extent of this increase did not distinguish the ten patients who were classified as clinical responders (> 50% reduction in score on the HRSD). Among the responders there was a modestly significant correlation between the decrease in score on the HRSD and the enhancement of tryptophan-induced prolactin release. Some responders, however, showed very little change in this endocrine response over the four weeks of lithium treatment. Lithium may increase brain 5-HT function in tricyclic-resistant depression but there is only limited support for the hypothesis that changes in brain 5-HT function are involved in the antidepressant effect of this treatment combination.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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