Dopamine and depression: a review of recent evidence. I. Empirical studies

Brain Res. 1983 Dec;287(3):211-24. doi: 10.1016/0165-0173(83)90005-x.

Abstract

This paper reviews evidence from human, predominantly clinical, studies, relevant to the hypothesis that depression involves reduced levels of dopamine (DA) function. With the exception of Parkinson's disease, there is little evidence that treatments which decrease DA function are potent inducers of depression, but it is argued that such a relationship might not necessarily be expected. There is good evidence that the nigro-striatal DA system is underactive in retarded depressions, and some evidence that DA agonists are therapeutically effective in these cases. It remains unclear whether changes in DA function are primary or secondary.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphetamine / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy
  • Depressive Disorder / metabolism*
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / therapeutic use
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Homovanillic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Piribedil / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Dopamine / drug effects
  • Receptors, Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Research

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Bromocriptine
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • Amphetamine
  • Piribedil
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Homovanillic Acid