Premium
Serum melatonin in relation to clinical variables in patients with major depressive disorder and a hypothesis of a low melatonin syndrome
Author(s) -
BeckFriis J.,
Kjellman B. F.,
Aperia B.,
Unden F.,
Rosen D.,
Ljunggren J.G.,
Wetterberg L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1985.tb02531.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , dexamethasone suppression test , medicine , depression (economics) , psychology , circadian rhythm , major depressive disorder , endocrinology , dexamethasone , amygdala , economics , macroeconomics
Maximum nocturnal serum melatonin level (MT max ) in relation to some clinical variables was studied in 32 patients with a major depressive episode and in 33 healthy subjects with reference to the outcome of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Significant regressions were found between MT max levels and clinical rating scores in CPRS, interpreted as retardation symptoms. Four healthy subjects with disposition for dysthymic reactions had subnormal MT max levels, which differed from MT max levels in subjects without such disposition. Patients but not the healthy subjects, who reported parental loss before 17 years of age, had subnormal MT max levels and differed from patients with no reported parental loss. Patients with no reported suicidal behaviour in clinical history had significantly lower MT max levels than patients with reported suicide attempts. No relations were found between low MT max levels and diagnoses, duration of illness, reported inheritance for depressive illness or sleep disturbances. A hypothetical low melatonin syndrome in depression is proposed: 1) low nocturnal melatonin, 2) abnormal dexamethasone suppression test, 3) disturbed 24‐h rhythm of cortisol, 4) less pronounced daily and annual cyclic variation in depressive symptomatology.