Cortisol response to d-fenfluramine in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder and in healthy subjects: evidence for a gender-related effect.
In order to evaluate serotonergic function in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), plasma cortisol response to d-fenfluramine (30 mg p.o.) was examined in 20 drug-free obsessive-compulsive patients (10 males and 10 females) and in 20 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects, under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. We found that: (a) baseline plasma cortisol secretion was significantly increased in patients with OCD; (b) in healthy subjects, the cortisol response to d-fenfluramine was evident in women, but no in men; (c) plasma cortisol response to the serotonergic challenge did not differ between patients and controls, but it was significantly reduced in female patients as compared to healthy women. These results demonstrate a hyperactivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in obsessive-compulsive patients and suggest a dysfunction of 5-HT transmission in female patients.
Monteleone
P
P
Institute of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Italy.
Catapano
F
F
Tortorella
A
A
Maj
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors
D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone