GROWTH-HORMONE RESPONSE TO THE GABA(B) AGONIST BACLOFEN IN MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Growth hormone (GH) response to the gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist, baclofen, was measured in 16 male patients with major depres sive disorder and in 16 age-matched healthy male controls. No signific ant differences were found in the GH response to baclofen between the depressed patients and controls. On repeat testing, the GH response to baclofen showed significant retest reliability in both groups. There was no significant correlation between serum baclofen levels and the G H response to baclofen. Age significantly correlated with GH response, with older subjects having lower GH response to baclofen. These data do not suggest that a blunted GK response to baclofen represents a spe cific neuroendocrine feature of major depression.