The authors studied growth hormone (GH) release after insulin-induced
hypoglycemia (HI) in relation to urinary MHPG, the major metabolite of
central norepinephrine. There was a significant linear correlation of
urinary MHPG levels and GH peaks after HI in unipolar depressed patients
and in manic patients; however, GH peaks in manic patients shifted downward
on the GH axis in comparison to the unipolar depressive patients. The
authors suggest that such shifts in the GH response may occur as a result
of abnormalities of other neurotransmitter systems also known to facilitate
GH release.Abstract Teaser