WEAK ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BLOOD SODIUM, POTASSIUM, AND CALCIUM AND INTENSITY OF SYMPTOMS IN MAJOR DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

In previous reports, we showed that plasma and erythrocyte magnesium w ere increased in many drug-free hospitalized depressed patients. Furth ermore, we observed that erythrocyte magnesium content was related to the intensity of the symptoms. Highly depressed patients had the highe st magnesium values. Today, we report the results of plasma and erythr ocyte sodium and potassium, and of total and ultrafilterable plasma ca lcium in 66 hospitalized patients with major depression compared to 58 healthy controls. No consistent differences in these biochemical para meters are observed between patients when separated according to inten sity of anxiety, psychomotor retardation, and moral distress. Plasma s odium is higher and plasma potassium lower in female patients of all s ubgroups as compared to controls. Both male patients and controls have erythrocyte sodium and potassium levels that are significantly differ ent from those of females. This clearly suggests a separation into gen ders in such studies. In conclusion - in contrast to blood magnesium - sodium, potassium, and calcium levels do not seem to be related to th e intensity of the main clinical symptoms in hopitalized patients with major depression.