PLATELET ALPHA-2-ADRENOCEPTORS IN DEPRESSION - A CRITICAL-EXAMINATION

During the past decade, results from radioligand studies comparing platelet alpha2-adrenoreceptors in depressed patients and healthy volunteers have been inconsistent, especially when related to the known functional characteristics of these receptors. Despite the availability of radioligands for alpha2-adrenoreceptors, inherent methodological problems exist which make data from these studies difficult to interpret. The authors review the overall data from radioligand studies using [H-3] clonidine and [H-3] yohimbine of platelet alpha2-adrenoreceptors in depressed patients and healthy volunteers. Theoretical and methodological issues are critically examined in the light of recent findings. Finally, alternative strategies for studying alpha2-adrenoreceptors in clinical populations are considered.