Platelet MAO Activity in Patients With Dysthymic Disorder

Associations between platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity & primary dysthymic disorder (DD) were studied. 58 patients with primary DD were studied. Lower platelet MAO activity was found in female patients with DD. Enzyme activities were even lower in female patients who had attempted suicide. These results were not found in males. The findings agree with the hypothesis that platelet MAO activity is an indicator of vulnerability to DD & suicidality in the female population. (26 refs.)