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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites

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Published on: March 1, 2018

Increased plasma norepinephrine concentration in psychotic depression.

Jaap G Goekoop, Remco F P de Winter, Ron Wolterbeek

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology

|August 29, 2013

Summary

Psychotic depression (PSDEP) shows increased plasma norepinephrine (NE) and vasopressin (AVP) levels, suggesting a distinct sympathetic nervous system activation. This may explain vasopressinergic activity in PSDEP.

Keywords:

norepinephrine psychotic depression smoking tricyclic antidepressant vasopressin

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A Convenient Method for Extraction and Analysis with High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters and Their Metabolites

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A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

A Plate-Based Assay for the Measurement of Endogenous Monoamine Release in Acute Brain Slices

Published on: August 11, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Endocrinology

Background:

Previous research linked psychotic depression (PSDEP) with correlated plasma norepinephrine (NE) and vasopressin (AVP).
Increased central noradrenergic activity correlates with plasma NE, suggesting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between plasma NE and PSDEP.
To test the hypothesis that increased NE release is a mechanism in PSDEP.

Main Methods:

Reanalyzed data from 9 PSDEP and 69 non-PSDEP patients.
Used analysis of covariance to control for confounding variables like antidepressant treatment and smoking.

Main Results:

PSDEP patients exhibited significantly higher plasma NE concentrations.
The correlation between plasma NE and AVP remained significant after controlling for confounders.

Conclusions:

Results indicate heightened sympathetic nervous system activity in PSDEP.
This supports the role of NE in vasopressinergic activation and PSDEP as a distinct subtype of depression.