title: The categorical and dimensional models of endogenous depression.
abstract: We calculated a Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) endogenous score for 257 depressed inpatients based on the number of endogenous criteria present. The distribution of RDC endogenous scores was unimodal. There was no association between endogenous scores and results of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test, or morbid risk for depression in the patients' first-degree relatives. The morbid risk for a family history of alcoholism tended to decrease with increasing endogenous scores, although a consistent steady decline was not observed. The results suggest that the RDC criteria do not fit either the categorical or dimensional model of endogenous classification. Potential sources of difficulty with the RDC endogenous criteria are discussed.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Coryell
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pfohl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone