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Increased serum glutamate in depressed patients

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Summary

Glutamate concentration was determined in serum from endogenous and neurotic depressive patients, in persons with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and in normal subjects.

The mean serum glutamate level in the endogenous and neurotic depressive patients was found to be significantly higher than in any of the other groups. No other statistically significant differences were found. Statistical analysis revealed that the elevated serum glutamate concentration in the endogenous and neurotic depressive patients was probably caused by medication. These results are discussed in view of the effect of antidepressants upon the serum glutamate in the affective disorders.

Zusammenfassung

Der Serum-Glutamatgehalt wurde bei endogen depressiven, neurotisch depressiven, schizophrenen und schizoaffektiven Patienten sowie gesunden Kontrollpersonen bestimmt.

Hierbei zeigte sich, daß die Serumglutamatspiegel bei endogen und neurotisch Depressiven signifikant höher waren als bei den anderen Gruppen. Zwischen schizophrenen und schizoaffektiven Patienten sowie Kontrollen zeigten sich dagegen keine signifikanten Unterschiede. Die weitere Analyse der Daten erbrachte die Hypothese, daß die erhöhten Serum-Glutamat-Konzentrationen bei endogen und neurotisch Depressiven eine Folge der antidepressiven Medikation sind. Diese Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf die Wirkung der Antidepressiva auf das Serum-Glutamat bei affektiven Störungen diskutiert.

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Kim, J.S., Schmid-Burgk, W., Claus, D. et al. Increased serum glutamate in depressed patients. Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr 232, 299–304 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345492

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345492

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