The differential ACTH responses to combined dexamethasone/CRH administration in major depressive and dysthymic disorders.
In a preliminary study, we performed the combined dexamethasone/CRH test on patients with major depressive and dysthymic disorders as well as healthy controls. The ACTH response was significantly enhanced in the major depression group compared to the control group and tended to be heightened compared to the dysthymia group. The cortisol response was not significantly different among the three groups. We assume that major depression and dysthymia are neuroendocrinologically distinct disorders, although whether the difference is quantitative or qualitative remains to be examined.
Oshima
A
A
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Yokohama, Japan.
Yamashita
S
S
Owashi
T
T
Murata
T
T
Tadokoro
C
C
Miyaoka
H
H
Kamijima
K
K
Higuchi
T
T
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone