The pathophysiology of affective disorders is largely unknown. In patients with various affective disorders the activity of pterins and related amino acids were investigated before and after clinical treatment. In particular the bipolar affective disorder could be characterized by less activity of tetrahydrobiopterin resulting in decreased synthesis of nitric oxide. After clinical recovery the same results were seen implicating that disturbances in the pterin metabilism could reflect a vulnerability for mood disorders.

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StichtingJos Schaap-Feering, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Verhoeven,. Prof. Dr. W.M.A. (promotor
W.M.A. Verhoeven (Wim)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/10522
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Hoekstra, R. (2007, September 19). Pterins and affective disorders. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/10522