CLINICAL, ENDOCRINE AND NEUROCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF MOCLOBEMIDE IN DEPRESSED-PATIENTS

The clinical efficacy of the monoamine oxidase A inhibitor moclobemide and its effect on the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and plasma and urine methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were investigated in 26 depressed patients during a 4-week clinical trial. Fourteen patients (54%) responded favourably to the treatment (50% or more reduction of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score). All (8) patients with an abnormal DST responded to treatment; 11 of 16 patients with a normal DST did not respond. Patients with low pretreatment MHPG excretion, according to the median value, were more frequently treatment responders. Plasma and urine MHPG were significantly decreased by treatment. The results indicate that low excretion of MHPG and cortisol nonsuppression may be considered as predictors of favourable clinical response to moclobemide treatment.