2018 issue 1

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Volume 34, issue 1

Original article

Salivary monoaminergic biomarkers and item performance of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression in major depression: an exploratory study

Joanna Szarmach1, Adam Włodarczyk1, Wiesław J. Cubała1, Jerzy Landowski1, Mariusz S. Wiglusz1
1. Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny
Farmakoterapia w Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2018, 34 (1), 67–71
Date of publication: 18-05-2018
DOI: http://dx.medra.org/10.17393/fpn.2018.04.005
Keywords: salivary alpha-amylase, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, salivary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, major depressive disorder, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression

Abstract

Objectives. Central monoaminergic dysfunction with autonomic nervous system dysregulation are reportedin major depressive disorder (MDD). Salivary α-amylase (sAA) activity and salivary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (sMHPG) are adopted as markers of central noradrenergic activity with salivary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (s5-HIAA) being indicative of central serotonin turnover. No data is available on baseline sAA, s5-HIAA and sMHPG in MDD being interrelated to the specific psychopathological dimensions and item performance of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAMD-17) in MDD.

Material and methods. The basal sMHPG and s5-HIAA concentrations and sAA activity as correlated with HAMD-17 psychometric assessment were studied in this exploratory study of 20 adult, treatment-naïve MDD patients.

Results. The negative correlations between sMHPG and HAMD-17 items 7 (work and activities) (r = –0.56, p = 0.01) and 4 (early insomnia) (r = –0.45, p = 0.049) were foundpost hoc. On exploration the correlations between sAA and items 7 (work and activities) (r = –0.47, p = 0.04) and 12 (gastrointestinal symptoms) (r = 0.49, p = 0.03) were also observed with no such observation with regard to s5-HIAA.

Conclusions. On exploratory analysis, in basal, non-stimulated conditions baseline sAA, sMHPG levelsin MDD were found to be correlated with HAMD-17 items representing clinical symptoms attributable to primary noradrenergic dysfunction at the early stage of major depression. Saliva is a promising source of monoaminergic biomarkers in MDD research. However, further systematic studies are needed to contribute consistent results to aid standardization, in particular with psychometric measures.

Address for correspondence:
Joanna Szarmach
Klinika Psychiatrii Dorosłych, Gdański Uniwersytet
Medyczny
ul. Dębinki 7, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland
phone:+48 58 349 26 50, fax: +48 58 349 27 48
email: jszarmach@gumed.edu.pl