Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor function in post-stroke depression

Abstract

SynopsisThe growth hormone (GH) response to desipramine was measured in ten patients meeting criteria for post-stroke depression (PSD), eight age-matched post-stroke (PS) nondepressed patients and eight healthy controls. Responses were significantly blunted in patients with PSD. These findings suggest diminished alpha-2 adrenoceptor function may be an important marker for PSD.