Desmopressin normalizes the blunted adrenocorticotropin response to corticotropin-releasing hormone in melancholic depression: evidence of enhanced vasopressinergic responsivity.
Major depression is associated with significant disturbance in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning, including blunted release of ACTH in response to CRH infusion. Eight melancholic depressives and eight matched healthy comparison subjects underwent, in random order, the following challenges: placebo, CRH, CRH + DDAVP. Blood for ACTH and cortisol estimation was drawn at -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. A blunted release of ACTH, in response to CRH challenge, was observed in depression (P < 0.01), whereas maximal cortisol responses in both groups were similar, despite elevated baseline levels in depression (P < 0.05). The combined CRH/DDAVP infusion produced similar ACTH and cortisol release in both groups. These results suggest that melancholic depression is associated with enhanced pituitary vasopressinergic responsivity.
Dinan
T G
TG
Department of Psychological Medicine, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, United Kingdom. tdinan@indigo
Lavelle
E
E
Scott
L V
LV
Newell-Price
J
J
Medbak
S
S
Grossman
A B
AB
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000502:physiology*
D014667:Vasopressins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; D006854:Hydrocortisone