ASSOCIATION OF BIOGENIC-AMINE METABOLITES WITH SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN DELUSIONAL, (PSYCHOTIC) AND NONDELUSIONAL DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

1. The levels of the main norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine meta bolite excretion in the urine, MHPG, 5HIAA and HVA respectively, were measured in 84 patients with major depressive disorder, 34 delusional (psychotic) and 50 nondelusional (DSM-III-R criteria). 2. Associations with the 17 items of the HDRS were evaluated using the multiple regre ssion analysis model. In the delusional group, MHPG excretion was posi tively related to the scores in the items of depressed mood (p=0.04), middle insomnia (p=0.008) and genital symptoms (p=0.001). 5HIAA excret ion was negatively associated with late insomnia (p=0.02), work and in terests (p=0.001) and genital symptoms (p=0.007). HVA was positively r elated to agitation (p=0.043). In the nondelusional group the only ass ociation found was between agitation and HVA excretion (p=0.03).