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Previous studies of the relationship between anxiety and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in depression have produced conflicting results. The possibility that different definitions of anxiety may have created these discrepant findings was explored. There was no convincing evidence that MHPG was associated with any of a wide range of different anxiety measurements that encompassed the anxiety concepts of somatic anxiety, psychic anxiety, agitation, or situational stress. The relationships of anxiety ratings to each other were also examined.

Levels of 24-hour urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were not markedly elevated in a group of 35 panic disorder patients when compared to healthy controls (mean = 2,430 micrograms/day vs. 2,130 micrograms/day). There was a weak association between elevated pretreatment levels of MHPG and a positive treatment response to alprazolam or diazepam. Alprazolam and diazepam may differ in their effects on MHPG.

The results of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) were compared to levels of 24-hour 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in 60 patients with unipolar depression. DST nonsuppressors had significantly higher levels of MHPG than did DST suppressors. The possible implications of this finding are discussed.

Previous research has indicated that a subset of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) items may be able to predict antidepressant treatment response to lithium. Twenty-one patients with major depressive disorder were assigned to treatment with lithium based on this MMPI lithium response scale. Twenty lithium-assigned patients completed the 4-week trial. Sixty percent of these patients showed a 50% reduction in Hamilton depression scores. This response rate is similar to results obtained in studies using no selection criteria in the treatment of depression with lithium.

Anxiety may be associated with increased norepinephrine activity. Urinary levels of the norepinephrine metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were examined in depressed patients with and without panic attacks. Depressed patients with panic attacks had significant elevations of MHPG.