Platelet tritiated imipramine binding and serotonin uptake in depressed patients and controls. Relationship to plasma cortisol levels before and after dexamethasone administration.

We measured platelet tritiated imipramine binding and serotonin uptake in 51 depressed patients and 43 normal controls. Although there were no significant differences in platelet 3H-imipramine binding or serotonin uptake when the total group of depressed patients was compared with controls, depressed women (n = 32) had a significantly lower maximal density of 3H-imipramine binding sites (beta max) than control women (n = 25). Moreover, among the total group of depressed patients, there were significant negative correlations between the beta max values and plasma cortisol levels at 4 PM (n = 41) and 11 PM (n = 41) following dexamethasone administration. These negative correlations between beta max and cortisol levels were strongest among melancholic patients both at 4 PM before dexamethasone administration (n = 14) and at 11 PM after dexamethasone administration (n = 15). These data suggest that the reported decrease in beta max found among depressed patients may be related to and is perhaps secondary to the hypercortisolemia of depression.