A pilot study of a neuroendocrine test battery in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Eight female patients who fulfilled DSM-III criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) took part in this study. They were each assessed using the dexamethasone suppression test, the desipramine/growth hormone stimulation test, which examines alpha-2-adrenoceptor functioning, and the buspirone/prolactin test, which is thought to examine 5-HT receptor functioning. A control group consisting of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects was also tested. For each subject the three tests were conducted over 5 days. Hormone assays were carried out blind to diagnosis. Overall no differences on any of the three tests were detected between the patients and controls. The results do not support a link between PTSD and major depression.
Dinan
T G
TG
Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Medical School, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Barry
S
S
Yatham
L N
LN
Mobayed
M
M
Brown
I
I
D000328:Adult; D002065:Buspirone; D003891:Desipramine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003907:Dexamethasone; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003891:Desipramine; D002065:Buspirone; D006854:Hydrocortisone