[Modifications of cerebral amine metabolism in psychiatric illness]

Abnormalities in brain monoamines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several psychiatric disorders. A brief revue of biochemical studies on indolamines and catecholamines in mental disorders with special emphasis on endogenous depression will be presented. Progress in neurochemistry makes it possible to investigate the biochemical disturbances present in the major psychoses. Recent knowledge in the neuropharmacological mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs have shed some light on the basic understanding of the pharmacological treatment of psychotic disorders. The implication of biogenic amine studies in psychiatry for endocrinological research in mental disorders will also be discussed.