A neuroendocrine study of stereotactic sub-caudate tractotomy

The growth hormone and hypotensive responses to clonidine have been measured in six drug free severely depressed patients before, and at two weeks after, the surgical procedure of stereotactic sub-caudate tractotomy. The responses were unaltered two weeks after operation, by which time a small clinical improvement was evident. These findings are discussed in relation to central alpha adrenoceptor functions in depression, and the effect upon this of antidepressant treatment.