Prolactin response to hypoglycemia in acute depression

1. We tested a group of acutely depressed patients with a neuroendocrine battery and confirmed the alterations of growth hormone response to hypoglycemia and TSH response to TRH reported by others. 2. In addition, in the same patient sample we found markedly reduced response of prolactin to hypoglycemia. 3. Prolactin response remained low when the patients were retested during depression, however, normalization took place on recovery. 4. An attempt is made to explain these findings by underlying neurotransmitter abnormalities.