[Quantitative determination of serum serotonin in the diagnosis of tension headache]

A comprehensive psychometric testing and measurement of the serum levels of serotonin by enzyme immunoassay were made before and after treatment with the antidepressant Prodep in 76 patients with chronic tension headache. The patients generally had cephalgia and moderate depression, which were associated with the lower blood concentration of serotonin. A course of antidepressant therapy with Prodep ameliorated headache and depression in the presence of higher serum serotonin levels. Serum serotonin may be regarded as a marker of the severity of pain and depression in patients with chronic tension headache and be an objective indicator of the efficiency of antidepressant therapy.