Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-6-11
pubmed:abstractText
Studies have revealed a relationship between serum cholesterol levels and serotonergic (5HT) function in healthy young adults. Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) may have significant differences in cholesterol levels compared with healthy adults, while MDD patients with elevated cholesterol have a poorer prognosis for treatment response. The goal of the present study is to examine (1) the relationship between serum cholesterol levels and central 5HT function by way of the cortisol and prolactin response to the 5HT-selective agonist DL-fenfluramine in MDD patients and (2) differences in 5HT-function between MDD patients who present with and without elevated cholesterol. Fasting serum cholesterol levels were measured in 21 outpatients with MDD. After oral administration of 60 mg of DL-fenfluramine in these patients, cortisol and prolactin responses were measured to test whether cholesterol levels predicted the degree of cortisol or prolactin response. Cortisol and prolactin responses were compared between patients with and without elevated cholesterol levels, defined as >/=200 mg/dl. MDD patients with elevated cholesterol levels were more likely to demonstrate an attenuated cortisol response. There was no relationship between cholesterol levels and cortisol or prolactin response. Excess cholesterol may adversely affect the function of membrane-bound serotonergic structures, and this may explain why MDD patients with elevated cholesterol are more likely to exhibit attenuated neuroendocrine responses, less likely to respond to treatment and more likely to relapse.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0165-1781
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
30
pubmed:volume
118
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
137-45
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-4-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Serum cholesterol and serotonergic function in major depressive disorder.
pubmed:affiliation
Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, WAC 812, Boston, MA 02114, USA. gpapakostas@partners.org
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't