Blunted growth hormone and prolactin responses to L-tryptophan in depression; a state-dependent abnormality

We have investigated whether attenuated growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to L-trytophan in depression return to normal with clinical recovery. Ten patients who had received intravenous infusions of L-tryptophan (100 mg/kg) when depressed were retested at least 3 months after full re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of affective disorders 1991-03, Vol.21 (3), p.213-218
Main Authors: Upadhyaya, A.K., Pennell, I., Cowen, P.J., Deakin, J.F.W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Depression
Depressive Disorder - blood
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Growth hormone
Growth Hormone - blood
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Mood disorders
Personality Tests
Prolactin
Prolactin - blood
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Response to L-tryptophan
Serotonin - physiology
Tryptophan
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Summary:We have investigated whether attenuated growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to L-trytophan in depression return to normal with clinical recovery. Ten patients who had received intravenous infusions of L-tryptophan (100 mg/kg) when depressed were retested at least 3 months after full recovery and cessation of treatment. In recovered depressives growth hormone responses showed considerable recovery, in all but three cases to within a few units of their healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Prolactin responses increased with clinical recovery in all six male subjects. Results in females were inconclusive because of the effect of weight loss on prolactin responses. The results suggest that GH and PRL responses to tryptophan are state-dependent abnormalities rather than indicators of predisposition to depression. This allows the possibility that impaired functioning in systems with a 5HT1A or 5HT1D receptor link may be part of the causal chain in depression.
ISSN:0165-0327
1573-2517
DOI:10.1016/0165-0327(91)90042-Q