title: A combined study of cortisol, ACTH and dexamethasone concentrations in major depression. Multiple time-point sampling.
abstract: The pathophysiology of hypercortisolaemia in major depression was examined. ACTH was measured using a novel immunoradiometric assay of high specificity and sensitivity. Twenty-eight patients with major depression and 18 control subjects were studied. Blood samples for basal hormone concentration were taken at 09:00, 16:00 and 23:00 on day 1, followed by administration of 1 mg dexamethasone at 23:00. Further samples were taken at 09:00 and 16:00 on day 2. Dexamethasone concentration was measured in day 2 samples and no significant difference was found between the depressed group and control subjects. In the depressed group cortisol concentration was elevated at 23:00 on day 1, and ACTH concentrations were elevated in post-dexamethasone samples. ACTH and cortisol concentrations were not directly correlated in individual patients. The elevated plasma cortisol associated with major depression is not solely mediated by changes in ACTH.
authors.affiliation: Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: B G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leake
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Ferrier
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone