ABSTRACT
This prospective study investigates the possibility of a central noradrenergic-cholinergic imbalance in subgroups of depressed inpatients using the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) as one peripheral indicator. The DST was performed in 43 depressed inpatients. Subsequently, a group (n = 20) of DST suppressors (DST-) and a group (n = 23) of DST nonsuppressors (DST+) were treated under double blind conditions with either nomifensine (NOM) a noradrenaline potentiating drug, or amitriptyline (AMI) a noradrenaline potentiating and strong anticholinergic compound. DST+ depressives responded favorably to AMI, but not to NOM. Conversely, DST- depressives responded favorably to NOM but less well to AMI. Together with other biochemical findings this data suggests: 1) a hypofunction of the noradrenergic system in DST- patients who may, from a clinical point of view, usually show minor or 'neurotic' depressions; 2) a hypofunction of the noradrenergic and a hyperfunction of the cholinergic system in DST+ patients who may present a more severe or 'endogenous' depression. These data suggest a biochemical heterogeneity of depression and offer an aid for a more specific antidepressive drug therapy.
Subject(s)
Amitriptyline/therapeutic use , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Dexamethasone , Isoquinolines/therapeutic use , Nomifensine/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Clinical Trials as Topic , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/physiopathology , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Receptors, Cholinergic/physiologyABSTRACT
Glutamic acid levels were investigated in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum of patients with schizophrenia, Huntington's chorea, and sciatic nerve compression by lumbar disc protrusion. In the serum the glutamic acid levels were equal in all three groups; in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenic and Hungtington's patients, however, the glutamic acid was decreased to almost half that of the lumbar disc group which served as control. Most of the patients were treated with neuroleptic drugs. However, since in one case (the daughter of a Huntington's patient) the CSF glutamic acid was decreased although this woman had had no neuroleptic treatment, it seems more likely that the glutamic acid decrease is due to the disease rather than to the neuroleptic treatment.
Subject(s)
Glutamates/cerebrospinal fluid , Huntington Disease/cerebrospinal fluid , Schizophrenia/cerebrospinal fluid , Adult , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
The influence of orally administered carbohydrates and bicycle work on muscle hexokinase activity, blood glucose, and serum insulin levels were studied in 6 young men. Continuously administered glucose of a total amount of 150 g caused a significant increase in hexokinase activity within 3 hrs. Working at a load of 155 to 195 Watt led to an initial increase of hexokinase activity. At the end of the working period hexokinase activity had fallen to resting values. The possible mechanisms of action are discussed.
