Psychotropic Effect of Combined Estrogen-Vit B6 Treatment in Endogenously Depressed Females

Estrogens are among the most commonly prescribed substances in females. Also endogenous estrogen levels change dramatically throughout life and this biological variable has been associated with several psychological signs like premenstrual tension syndrome and depression in older age. Along with clinical practice there is increasing evidence from neuropharmacology suggesting a psychotropic action of estrogens (review: Holsboer, 1982). The most prominent findings are: 1. Reduction of monoamine-oxidase (MAO)-activity by estrogens (McEwen et al., 1978); 2. Competitive inhibition of catechol-o-methyltransferase by 2-hydroxyestrogens, which are major metabolites of estrogens in the CNS (Breuer e…