title: The unipolar-bipolar depressive dichotomy and the relationship between afternoon prolactin and cortisol levels.
abstract: Afternoon prolactin and cortisol levels were measured in 29 patients suffering from a current major depressive episode. Among the 15 unipolar depressed patients the afternoon prolactin and cortisol levels were positively correlated, but 14 bipolar depressed patients did not show a similar relationship, and had prolactin levels lower than the unipolar patients. This finding adds to the growing list of ways in which the neurobiology of bipolar and unipolar depression may differ.
authors.affiliation: Affective Disorders Unit, Sunnyside Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sellman
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Donald
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Livesey
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Elder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D011388:Prolactin; D008094:Lithium; D006854:Hydrocortisone