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Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) as a possible quick-acting but short-lasting antidepressant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

W. Van Den Burg
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychiatry, the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Isotope Laboratory, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
H. M. Van Praag
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychiatry, the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Isotope Laboratory, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
E. R. H. Bos
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychiatry, the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Isotope Laboratory, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
D. A. Piers
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychiatry, the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Isotope Laboratory, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
A. K. Van Zanten
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychiatry, the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Isotope Laboratory, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
H. Doorenbos
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Psychiatry, the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Isotope Laboratory, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands

Synopsis

In a double reversal design the potency of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) (500 μg intravenously) as a quick-acting antidepressive agent was evaluated. A first injection did seem to give rise to a very slight short-lasting effect, though this could not be ascertained clearly. There were no visible effects after a second injection. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) response curve after TRH administration in the depressive patients group was blunted in comparison with that in a matched control group of normals.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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