Hormonal response pattern in the combined DEX-CRH test is stable over time in subjects at high familial risk for affective disorders.
One of the major neurobiological alterations in depressive disorders consists in a disturbed regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system. This is reflected by a pathological increase in the adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol release after pretreatment with 1.5 mg dexamethasone (DEX) the previous night and a challenge with 100 micrograms corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) the next day. The changes evoked by this combined DEX-CRH test recede partially with an improvement of the psychopathological symptoms of depressed patients. It is still unclear, however, whether this long-lasting disturbance of the HPA system is due to acquired changes in the acute illness or whether it plays a causal role and could be considered as a trait or vulnerability marker for depression. In a previous study we have examined the HPA function of healthy probands with a high genetic load for affective disorders. We found that this group of high-risk probands (HRPs) showed abnormal DEX-CRH test results with a cortisol release that was between that of a control group and a group of patients with depression. In a follow-up study we now reexamined 14 of the 47 HRPs about 4 years after the index investigation and found surprisingly constant DEX-CRH test results, so that one of the requirements for a vulnerability marker is fulfilled.
Modell
S
S
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
Lauer
C J
CJ
Schreiber
W
W
Huber
J
J
Krieg
J C
JC
Holsboer
F
F
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006728:Hormones; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone