SEROTONERGIC FUNCTION IN MOTHERS OF OPIOID ADDICTS - CORRELATION WITHCOMORBID DEPRESSION

The serotonergic (5-HT) function of 36 mothers of heroin addicts, of w hom 16 subjects were without psychopathological features (group A) and 20 subjects had major depressive disorders (group B), as well as 10 a ge- and sex-matched healthy controls, was examined by L-D-fenfluramine stimulation of secretion of prolactin (PRL) and cortisol. The subject s' addict relatives were also tested for personality features and horm onal responses to L-D-fenfluramine. The PRL and cortisol responses to the stimulus were normal in mothers of group A, and blunted in mothers of group B. A high frequency (70%) of heroin addicts with comorbid de pression was found among the sons of group B mothers. The sons of depr essed mothers showed reduced PRL and cortisol responses to fenfluramin e. A significant direct correlation has been demonstrated between the PRL areas under curves (AUG) of mothers and sons in response to the 5- HT agonist. Our data suggest that genetic 5-HT impairment is not invol ved in the pathogenesis of heroin addiction or codependence per se, an d is probably linked to the presence of familial depression in comorbi dity with the addictive disorder.