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3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

D. M. Shaw
Affiliation:
From the Medical Research Council Nenropsychiatry Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
R. O'Keeffe
Affiliation:
From the Medical Research Council Nenropsychiatry Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
D. A. Macsweeney
Affiliation:
From the Medical Research Council Nenropsychiatry Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
B. W. L. Brooksbank
Affiliation:
From the Medical Research Council Nenropsychiatry Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
R. Noguera
Affiliation:
From the Medical Research Council Nenropsychiatry Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
A. Coppen
Affiliation:
From the Medical Research Council Nenropsychiatry Unit, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey

Synopsis

The concentration of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering from unipolar depressive illness did not differ significantly from the concentration in a neurological control group. After recovery there was a small but significant decrease in the concentration of MHPG and there was positive correlation between the concentration of MHPG and severity of depression as measured by the Beck Inventory. There was no correlation between urinary excretion of MHPG and the concentration of MHPG in cerebrospinal fluid. In contrast with the findings in cerebrospinal fluid there was a significant increase in the urinary excretion of MHPG after recovery.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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