Temporal stability of the dex/CRH test in patients with rapid-cycling bipolar I disorder: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the hypothesis that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function is a trait abnormality in bipolar disorder.


METHODS
We examined HPA axis function in a pilot study of five patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in both relapse and remission using the dexamethasone/corticotropin releasing hormone (dex/CRH) test.


RESULTS
The cortisol response to the dex/CRH test correlated significantly between the 2 tests (r = 0.997; p < 0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggests that the cortisol response to the dex/CRH test is stable over time and independent of mood state.
Watson
Stuart
S
Department of Psychiatry, Leazes Wing, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, U.K.
Thompson
Jill M
JM
Malik
Navdeep
N
Ferrier
I Nicol
IN
Young
Allan H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010507:Periodicity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone