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The daily rhythm of HVA, VMA, (VA) and 5-HIAA in depressionsyndrom

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Summary

The daily rhythm (8–14 h, 14–20 h, 20–2 h, 2–8 h) of HVA, VMA, (VA) and 5-HIAA was studied in 21 depressed patients and was compared to the values of 13 healthy subjects. In healthy subjects all compounds trend to high values during day-time and significant lower values in the nightphase (2–8 h). Depressed patients did not show a significant rhythm during the four fractions; the values of HVA and VMA were significant lowered in the morning-phase (8–14 h). This demonstrates a good connexion to the clinical feature with the morning listlessness. Normal concentrations were reached in the night-phase (2–8 h). 5-HIAA did not show any significance between healthy subjects and depressed patients during the circadian rhythm. The ratio VMA/HVA in healthy subjects fell significant from morning-phase (8–14 h) to night-phase (20–2 h, 22–8 h). In depressed patients the ratio was approximately equal in all fractions. Whereas the ratio 5-HIAA×100/ VMA>+HVA increased from the morning-phase to the night-phase in healthy persons, this ratio did not show any significance in the four fractions of depressed patients.

Also these results suggest some importance in explaining the lost of drive in the activity of depressed patients during morning hours and the remission of these patients often observed in the evening. A very good correlation to the clinical feature is emphasized.

Preliminary studies on 6 patients with different depressive diagnosis during depression- and remission-phase gave a different biochemical pattern. Further extended studies have to be carried out to differentiate exactly between nosological different depressions.

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  1. P. Riederer

    Present address: Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Neurochemie und Neurologische Abteilung des Alterskrankenhauses der Stadt Wien-Lainz, Austria

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  1. Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institut für Neurochemie und Neurologische Abteilung des Alterskrankenhauses der Stadt Wien-Lainz, Austria

    W. Birkmayer, E. Neumayer, L. Ambrozi & W. Linauer

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Riederer, P., Birkmayer, W., Neumayer, E. et al. The daily rhythm of HVA, VMA, (VA) and 5-HIAA in depressionsyndrom. J. Neural Transmission 35, 23–45 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245333

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