CLINICAL, ENDOCRINE AND NEUROCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF MOCLOBEMIDE IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

The clinical efficacy of the monoamine oxidase A inhibitor moclobemide and its effect on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and plasma and urine methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were investigated in 26 d epressed patients during a 4-week clinical trial. Fourteen patients (5 4%) responded favourably to the treatment (50% or more reduction of th e Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score). All (8) patients with a n abnormal DST responded to treatment; 11 of 16 patients with a normal DST did not respond. Patients with low pretreatment MHPG excretion, a ccording to the median value, were more frequently treatment responder s. Plasma and urine MHPG were significantly decreased by treatment. Th e results indicate that low excretion of MHPG and cortisol nonsuppress ion may be considered as predictors of favourable clinical response to moclobemide treatment.