Computerized brain tomography measures compared with spontaneous and suppressed plasma cortisol levels in major depression.
We determined brain density and ventricular measurements with computerized tomography (CT) in 33 depressed patients and compared the results with basal plasma cortisol and its suppressibility by dexamethasone. Mean plasma cortisol was positively related to elevated ventricular brain ratio (VBR). No association could be found between dexamethasone suppression test (DST) status and VBR or any other CT parameter. Elevated plasma cortisol levels and increased VBRs were positively correlated with total scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Global Assessment Scale and the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale, but they were not significantly correlated with total score on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale.
University of Mainz, Department of Psychiatry, West Germany.
S
S
Schlegel
U
U
von Bardeleben
K
K
Wiedemann
U
U
Frommberger
F
F
Holsboer
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone