Neuroendocrine and neurochemical measurements in depression.
The authors performed dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), TRH infusions, 72-hour urine collections, and lumbar punctures on a group of male depressed patients. Approximately 60% of the patients were DST positive and 33% had a blunted TSH response. Two biologic variables, the 8 a.m. postdexamethasone cortisol and the postprobenecid CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), accounted for over half of the variance in the behavioral measure, the Hamilton score. Plasma cortisol elevation was associated with high 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) excretion; TSH blunting was associated with low urinary MHPG excretion. Comprehensive biologic measures showed certain significant interrelationships and correlations with the severity of depression.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000378:metabolism; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006018:Glycols / Q000378:metabolism*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011339:Probenecid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
D006018:Glycols; D010648:Phenylacetates; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D011339:Probenecid; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D006719:Homovanillic Acid