title: A pilot study of a neuroendocrine test battery in posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Medical School, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Dinan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Yatham
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mobayed
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003891:Desipramine; D002065:Buspirone; D006854:Hydrocortisone