Can disulfiram potentiate the dexamethasone suppression test in depressive patients?
Transient DST non-suppression during disulfiram-treatment was fortuitously observed in a depressed patient. A disulfiram-potentiated DST (DSTd) was constructed by giving 800 mg disulfiram on the dexamethasone and postdexamethasone days. DST and DSTd were compared intraindividually in 21 patients and 14 controls. Disulfiram-potentiation was significant in constantly depressed patients, and in questionable controls due to possible subclinical depression or somatic factors which may cause 'false-positive' results. It did not occur in depressed patients during marked improvement or long-term recovery, and not in accurately screened controls. DSTd was significantly correlated with depression ratings, whereas DST was not.
Bergsholm
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, Central Hospital of Sogn og Fjordane, Førde Norway.
Oulie
D
D
Holsten
F
F
Myking
O
O
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003907:Dexamethasone; D004221:Disulfiram; D006854:Hydrocortisone