The desipramine-induced growth hormone response and the dexamethasone suppression test in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Ten patients with DSM-III-R obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) underwent the desipramine (DMI) growth hormone (GH) stimulation test as well as the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). The results were compared with the responses in a group of matched healthy controls. The GH response to DMI did not differ between patients and controls and 9 of 10 patients showed cortisol suppression in response to dexamethasone. The data suggest that neither alpha 2 adrenergic dysfunction nor DST non-suppression are features of primary OCD.
Lucey
J V
JV
Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Medical School, St. James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Barry
S
S
Webb
M G
MG
Dinan
T G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003891:Desipramine