PLASMA NOREPINEPHRINE RESPONSE TO A COLD PRESSOR TEST IN SUBTYPES OF DEPRESSIVE-ILLNESS

Noradrenergic systems have been shown to be disordered in depressive i llness. The plasma norepinephrine response to a cold presser test was used to investigate norepinephrine activity in subtypes of depressive illness. Patients with melancholic or psychotic depression, non-melanc holic depression, general anxiety disorder and normal control subjects had a cord presser test carried out under standard conditions. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma norepinephrine during the test. T he plasma norepinephrine response to a cold presser test was reduced i n the melancholic/psychotic depressed patients compared to control sub jects. No other intergroup comparisons were statistically significant. These results suggest noradrenergic systems are disturbed and subresp onsive to stress in melancholic/psychotic depressed patients. This doe s not appear related to other clinical or biochemical factors. (C) 199 8 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.