@article{ref1,
title="Faulty cortisol/serotonin interplay. Psychopathological and biological characterisation of a new, hypothetical depression subtype (SeCA depression)",
journal="Psychiatry research",
year="1996",
author="van Praag, H. M.",
volume="65",
number="3",
pages="143-157",
abstract="The hypothesis is proposed of a new subtype of depression named: stressor-precipitated, cortisol-induced, serotonin-related, anxiety/aggression-driven depression (SeCA depression). Biologically, these patients are characterized by impaired 5-HT synthesis and reduced 5-HT1A receptor sensitivity. Under normal conditions these functions proceed marginally; in times of stress they easily fail, due to sustained overproduction of cortisol. Psychopathologically this depression type shows the following characteristics: anxiety and aggression, not mood lowering, heralding a depressive episode; the personality structure shows 'character neurotic' impairments and tolerance for (certain) traumatic life events is low. As specific therapeutic agents selective 5-HT1A agonists and cortisol or CRH antagonists are proposed. Prophylactically, maintenance treatment with 5-HT1A agonists seems indicated as well as psychological interventions to increase the stressor threshold.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-1781",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}