Is the tyramine test for depressive illness useful in elderly patients?

Abstract

There were no significant differences in tyramine sulphate excretion following tyramine ingestion between elderly depressed, demented or control patient groups, in contrast with younger subjects where this test is a trait marker for unipolar endogenous depression. There are inherent problems in urine collection studies in the elderly and the results may have been influenced by the medication that elderly patients have to take for other disorders. This study suggests that the tyramine test is unlikely to be of clinical usefulness in the over 65 age group.

• Authors: E Arnold, N Fineberg, P Hannah, V Glover, B Pitt, M Sandler
• Journal: Journal of affective disorders (J Affect Disord) Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pg. 1-5 (Sep 1992) ISSN: 0165-0327 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 1430663 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Sulfates
• Tyramine

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alzheimer Disease (diagnosis, psychology, urine)
• Dementia (diagnosis, psychology, urine)
• Dementia, Multi-Infarct (diagnosis, psychology, urine)
• Depressive Disorder (diagnosis, psychology, urine)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mental Status Schedule
• Personality Inventory
• Sulfates (urine)
• Tyramine (urine)