Effects of Estrogen Therapy on Plasma MAO Activity and EEG Driving Responses of Depressed Women

The authors report that premenopausal depressed women with regular menstrual cycles have higher levels of plasma MAO activity and greater EEG responses to photic stimulation than do nondepressed women. These abnormalities are interpreted as evidence of adrenergic insufficiency. Oral conjugated estrogen therapy moved both indices toward normal levels. Although the study did not attempt to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of the estrogen therapy, the patients reported improvement in their mental status.