Dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in depressed alcoholic patients.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function was examined in 28 hospitalized, withdrawing alcoholic patients. Fourteen patients met DSM-III criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. Elevated 8 a.m. basal cortisols were noted in 7 depressed alcoholic patients (50%) and no non-depressed alcoholics (P less than 0.01). Escape from dexamethasone suppression was noted in 9 depressed alcoholics (64%) and no non-depressed alcoholics (P less than 0.005). The measurement of HPA axis function may be a useful marker for endogenous depression in an alcoholic population.
D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000503:physiopathology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002707:Chlordiazepoxide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone