The effect of antidepressant drugs on plasma kynurenine in depressed patients

The concentration of kynurenine in plasma from depressed patients and control subjects has been measured using a sensitive and specific method. The levels of kynurenine in the plasma of depressed patients and controls are not significantly different and are not influenced by age or sex. The severity...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychopharmacology 1978-01, Vol.59 (3), p.263-266
Main Authors: Wood, K, Harwood, J, Coppen, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amitriptyline - blood
Amitriptyline - pharmacology
Amitriptyline - therapeutic use
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic - pharmacology
Clinical Trials as Topic
Depression - blood
Depression - drug therapy
Female
Humans
Kynurenine - blood
Male
Middle Aged
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
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Summary:The concentration of kynurenine in plasma from depressed patients and control subjects has been measured using a sensitive and specific method. The levels of kynurenine in the plasma of depressed patients and controls are not significantly different and are not influenced by age or sex. The severity of affective disturbance was not related to plasma kynurenine levels in depressed patients. Clinical outcome could not be accurately predicted by measurement of plasma kynurenine levels. Amitriptyline did not significantly increase plasma kynurenine concentration in vivo, whereas lithium and mianserin did have a significant effect. These results are discussed with reference to known abnormalities of tryptophan metabolism in depressive illness and in particular to the 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake characteristics of blood platelets in depressive patients.
ISSN:0033-3158
1432-2072
DOI:10.1007/BF00426632