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Biological markers for major depressive disorder in children and adolescents
Author(s)
Engelbrecht, Albertus Hermanus
Date Issued
1986
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Technikon
Abstract
Child psychiatrists have become increasingly aware of the
existence. of affective disorders in prepubertal and pubertal
patients. This has led to the investigation of possible
biological factors contributing to the disorders.
Due to the lack of availability of human brain material, different
parameters have been investigated in the periphery in
order to obtain information regarding the aetiology of major
depressive disorder. The neurotransmitters, NA, 5-HT and DA
have been implicated in depression. Levels of the metabolites
of these transmitters have been measured in plasma,
urine and CSF of adult depressed patients.
Two other peripheral "tools" used in the study of major depressive
disorder are blood platelets and lymphocytes. The
former contain cr 2 -adrenoceptors and imipramine binding sites
(indicative of 5-HT uptake into the platelet) and the latter
S-adrenoceptors. Platelets have been widely used as a model
for indirectly evaluating changes in central cr2-adrenoceptor and
imipramine binding whereas lymphocytes have been used to
measure changes in S-adrenoceptor binding and activity in
adults with major depressive disorder.
existence. of affective disorders in prepubertal and pubertal
patients. This has led to the investigation of possible
biological factors contributing to the disorders.
Due to the lack of availability of human brain material, different
parameters have been investigated in the periphery in
order to obtain information regarding the aetiology of major
depressive disorder. The neurotransmitters, NA, 5-HT and DA
have been implicated in depression. Levels of the metabolites
of these transmitters have been measured in plasma,
urine and CSF of adult depressed patients.
Two other peripheral "tools" used in the study of major depressive
disorder are blood platelets and lymphocytes. The
former contain cr 2 -adrenoceptors and imipramine binding sites
(indicative of 5-HT uptake into the platelet) and the latter
S-adrenoceptors. Platelets have been widely used as a model
for indirectly evaluating changes in central cr2-adrenoceptor and
imipramine binding whereas lymphocytes have been used to
measure changes in S-adrenoceptor binding and activity in
adults with major depressive disorder.
Additional information
Thesis (Masters Diploma (Technology)--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 1986
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