Pituitary-adrenal axis response to arginine vasopressin in patients with major depression.
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) was administered to 21 patients with major depression and 20 normal control subjects. Thirty-two subjects also underwent an overnight dexamethasone suppression test. The patient group did not differ significantly from the control group in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cortisol response. Dexamethasone suppression status did not affect ACTH or cortisol response. This study supports the hypothesis that unlike the response to corticotropin releasing hormone, the ACTH response to AVP is not attenuated in depression.
Carroll
B T
BT
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus 52242.
Meller
W H
WH
Kathol
R G
RG
Gehris
T L
TL
Carter
J L
JL
Samuelson
S D
SD
Pitts
A F
AF
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone