[The role of the epiphysis in the pathogenesis of depressions].

Zhurnal vysshei nervnoi deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova1991PMID: 1660663

Animal StudyEpitalon

Plain Language Summary

Pineal compounds including melatonin and pineal peptides demonstrated antidepressant activity in rat models of depression. Pinealectomy worsened depressive behavior and amplified the depressogenic effects of reserpine, while melatonin attenuated these effects, pointing to the pineal gland's role in the pathogenesis of depression.

Abstract

On the pinealectomized rats shifts of main parameters of forced swimming and its time course with increase of rhythmical depression index were observed. Pinealectomy also potentiated depressogenic effect of reserpine which was attenuated by melatonin. At the same time on this model pineal compounds (melatonin, peptides) after acute and chronic administration demonstrated their own antidepressant activity.

Authors

Arushanian, E B; Ovanesov, K B