BIOGENIC-AMINE METABOLITES IN DELUSIONAL (PSYCHOTIC) DEPRESSION AND MELANCHOLIA SUBTYPES OF MAJOR DEPRESSION

1. The levels of the urinary main metabolites of norepinephrine 3-methoxy-n-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), of dopamine homovanillic acid (HVA) and of serotonin 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in 84 patients with major depressive disorder, 34 delusional and 50 nondelusional. Melancholia subtype was also defined (N=62). 2. MHPG was significantly higher in the delusional depressed group (p=0.023), Female patients with delusional major depression also had significantly higher HVA excretion than female patients with non delusional major depression (p=0.036). 5-HIAA excretion was similar in the two patient subgroups. 3. No significant differences in the three monoamine metabolites were found between the melancholic and nonmelancholic depressed patients.