Several investigators have proposed that diurnal rhythms, particularly
that of the norepinephrine metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
(MHPG), show abnormalities in affective disorders. The present study
compared diurnal MHPG rhythms in the plasma of 18 male depressed patients
and 12 healthy male volunteers. A diurnal rhythm of MHPG closely fit to a
cosine model was observed in volunteers and, to a lesser extent, in
depressed patients. Patients, especially those with endogenous depression
(N = 11), demonstrated an earlier acrophase (mean +/- SD = 12.53 +/- 3.38
hours), and treatment with desipramine was associated with a significant
(3-hour) phase delay. This study confirms and extends previous reports of
apparent phase advances in circadian noradrenergic rhythms in depressed
patients.Abstract Teaser