title: A paracrine component of salient symptoms of depression in Cushing's of diencephalic origin, and in perimenstrual syndromes: a hypothesis.
abstract: Interrelationships between adrenocortical secretions and depression syndromes have been known since early in the 20th century. Now, the fact that pregnane and pregnene steroids are also known to be synthesized in the brain (they are termed neurosteroids (NS)), raises the possibility that these natural compounds could have paracrine effects. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) can modulate biosynthesis of NSs. 17beta estradiol has been shown to decrease THP concentration in the brain. It is hypothesized that imbalance between stimulatory and depressant NSs induced by ACTH elevation in hypothalamo pituitary dependent Cushing's, and by estrogen concentration changes during the menstrual cycle, may be associated with the pathophysiology of salient symptoms of depression in Cushing's and in perimenstrual syndromes.
authors.affiliation: McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada. bernado.dubrovsky@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dubrovsky
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004027:Diencephalon / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D019899:Paracrine Communication
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone