GROWTH-HORMONE RESPONSE TO GROWTH-HORMONE RELEASING HORMONE AND TO CLONIDINE STIMULATION IN PERIPUBERTAL PATIENTS WITH MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

The responses of growth hormone (GH) to administration of growth hormo ne-releasing hormone (GHRH-1 mu g/kg b.w.) and of clonidine (clon-2.5 mu g/kg b.w.) and basal levels of somatomedin C (SmC) were measured in nine peripubertal patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and i n 9 age- and gender-matched controls. Basal GH and SmC levels, and GH response to GHRH did not differ in patients and controls, whereas resp onses to clonidine were significantly higher in same and lower in othe r patients than in controls.