Cortisol response to dexamethasone and noradrenergic function in depression.
Positive correlations between measures of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis activity and noradrenergic turnover have been reported in depression. To investigate this relationship the authors measured peak postdexamethasone cortisol levels (8 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.) and the 24-hour urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG) flow in 84 depressed patients. The results show that there is no positive association between those measures of HPA-axis and noradrenergic activity. On the contrary, patients with severe non-suppression (greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/dl or 277 nmol/l) tended to have a lower MHPG-excretion.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*
D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine