ESTROGEN AUGMENTS SEROTONERGIC ACTIVITY IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

To investigate the influence of estrogen replacement on serotonergic a ctivity in postmenopausal women, the serotonin agonist meta-chlorophen ylpiperazine (m-CPP) (0.5 mg/kg) was given orally to 18 normal postmen opausal women, 11 of whom were also tested following 30 days' treatmen t with estrogen transdermal patches (estraderm 0.1 mg). Fifteen normal healthy women of reproductive status sewed as a control group, Cortis ol and prolactin responses to m-CPP were measured, Without estrogen, t he prolactin and cortisol responses of postmenopausal women to m-CPP w ere blunted compared to those of reproductive women. Estrogen replacem ent increased the hormonal responses, It is suggested that decreased s erotonergic activity in postmenopausal women might contribute to their vulnerability to affective disorders, Estrogen replacement therapy mi ght decrease this vulnerability and might add to the efficacy of serot onergic antidepressants when warranted