title: Circadian rhythms of melatonin, cortisol and prolactin in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
abstract: Plasma melatonin, cortisol and prolactin (PRL) levels were measured over a 24-h period in 13 drug-free patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and in matched healthy subjects. The circadian profiles of melatonin and PRL were altered in patients; the circadian rhythm of cortisol was preserved, although at a higher level compared with normal controls. These changes were significantly related to the severity of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Further studies need to clarify the state- or trait-dependent character of these abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, First Medical School, University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Monteleone
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Catapano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Buono
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin; D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone