title: Hypercortisolemia and depression.
abstract: Hypercortisolemia and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are often found in severe forms of depression. The authors review the history of techniques used to assess the functions of the HPA axis, evidence for hypercortisolemia as a state rather than trait component of depression, and treatment implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 101 Woodruff Circle, Suite 4000 WMRB, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Nemeroff
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone