Effect of fluoxetine on dexamethasone-induced growth hormone release in depression: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
The authors' objective was to characterize the effects of fluoxetine treatment on dexamethasone-induced growth hormone (GH) responses in depressed patients.


METHODS
Twelve patients (six women and six men) with major depression diagnosed according to DSM-III-R underwent dexamethasone-induced GH stimulation before and after random assignment to 4 weeks of treatment with either placebo (N = 6) or fluoxetine (N = 6).


RESULTS
All six patients treated with fluoxetine and two of the six patients given placebo demonstrated an increase in their dexamethasone-induced GH responses.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical recovery was associated with an increase in GH release in response to dexamethasone.
Thakore
J H
JH
Department of Psychological Medicine, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, England.
Dinan
T G
TG
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos; D005473:Fluoxetine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013006:Growth Hormone