Vasotocin effects in depressive patients with eating disorders

Since arginine vasotocin (AVT) effects are mediated by serotonin, which was involved in the production of eating disorders, disorders which show many common mechanisms with the depressive disorders, and since AVT was used as treatment of depressive disorders, we investigated the AVT effects in a double-blind study with patients with eating disorders. We compared AVT effects on 15 patients with eating disorders to 18 patients with eating disorders which received tricyclic antidepressants or cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. The severity of depression was assessed by means of the Hamilton Depression Scale and of Beck's Depression Inventory, before and after three months therapy. Data showed a significant improvement of depressive symptomatology after AVT treatment. Comparison of AVT effects on depression of eating disorders subgroups versus tricyclic antidepressant or psychotherapy treatment are discussed.