PLATELET SEROTONINERGIC MARKERS IN RESIST ANT ENDOGENOUS-DEPRESSION DURING ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL TREATMENT

The main platelet serotoninergic parameters (maximal velosity of H-3-s erotonin uptake, V-max and density of H-3-imipramine binding sites, B- max) were measured in 17 therapy-resistant endogenously depressed pati ents before and after combined treatment (antidepressants and alpha-to copherol). It was found a significant decrease of V-max -, V-max/B-max - values and the increase of B-max - values in patients before treatm ent, A beneficial effect of the combined therapy was found in 47% of p atients. However, it was not followed by the changes of main platelet serotoninergic parameters In patients after treatment in spits of the obtained clinical improvement. There were not also observed the signif icant differences of measured biochemical parameters between responder s and non-responders, These findings suggest that the beneficial clini cal effect of the combined antidepressive therapy with alpha-tocophero l does not involve serotoninergic mechanisms.