comparative study of prolactin and depressive symptoms in heroin addicts

Changes in prolactin and depth of depression were studied in human heroin addicts. A proportional relation was observed in both. Disturbance in dopaminergic activity is suggested as a probable biochemical mechanism of depression in brain, which reflects itself as changes in prolactin levels of the body. The disturbance may be due to the direct or indirect effects of addiction at hypothalmic or pituitary level

Pituitary hormonal status in addicts

Pituitary hormonal status was determined in 64 male heroin addicts and 30 male normal controls. Data suggested, a significant fall in LH with 27.90% of patients showing lower levels, significant raise in FSH with 80% of patients showing higher levels, and a significant raise in prolactin levels, with 81.6% patients showing higher levels. Effect of duration, dose and sexual activity is also determined in which effect of duration of addiction is found to be the most important, and a significant fall in LH, and a raise in FSH and prolactin was observed after 4 years of use. Similarly effects of withdrawal are also considered, and no significant change was seen in patient after completion of six days of abstinence. These neuroendocrine events represent either disturbance of neurotransmitter activity or occurrence of desensitization phenomenon