Plasma noradrenaline, adrenaline and DHPG responses to clonidine in control and depressed subjects

摘要

AbstractPlasma noradrenaline, adrenaline and DHPG were measured in depressed and control subjects before and after a challenge test with clonidine 1.3 μg/kg. Significant falls in all three variables were found, but there were no differences between the two groups on either baseline or post‐challenge test values. No correlation was found between these catecholamine responses to clonidine and clonidine‐induced changes in growth hormone, blood pressure, or pulse rate. There were also no correlations between plasma catecholamine levels and platelet adrenergic receptor binding or plasma cortisol. These findings do not support the hypothesis of a generalized adrenergic deficit in major depressive diso