Desipramine increases circulating growth hormone in elderly depressed patients: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Psychopharmacology
• Geriatric Psychiatry

Background:

• Depression in the elderly is often associated with neuroendocrine dysregulation.
• Previous research suggests altered hormone levels in depressed individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the acute effects of desmethylimipramine (DMI) and amitriptyline (AMI) on serum hormone levels in elderly depressed inpatients.
• To explore the relationship between baseline hormone concentrations and anxiety/depression ratings.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial involving 15 elderly depressed inpatients (ages 62-95).
• Administration of a single 50 mg oral dose of DMI or AMI.
• Serial blood sampling over 210 minutes to measure serum growth hormone (hGH), cortisol, and prolactin (hPRL) via radioimmunoassay.

Main Results:

• A natural decline in hGH, cortisol, and hPRL was observed in the study cohort.
• DMI administration led to a reversal of this trend, with a statistically significant increase in hGH observed towards the end of the study.
• No stimulatory effect on these hormones was noted with AMI administration.
• Female subjects exhibited higher baseline hGH levels than males.
• Baseline prolactin levels negatively correlated with self-rated anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Desmethylimipramine, but not amitriptyline, demonstrates a potential to acutely stimulate hGH, cortisol, and prolactin release in elderly depressed patients.
• These findings suggest differential neuroendocrine effects of antidepressants.
• Further research is warranted to understand the clinical implications of these acute hormonal changes.