Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response in borderline personality disorder without post-traumatic features.
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis sensitivity was investigated in 32 non-medicated patients with borderline personality disorder without comorbid post-traumatic syndromes and in 18 normal individuals using a modified dexamethasone suppression test (0.25 mg). Enhanced cortisol suppression was found in the patients v. controls (P<0.05) and the percentage of participant's with non-suppression was smaller in the patient (34%) than in the control group (89%) (P<0.01). Baseline cortisol levels in the patients were also lower than in the controls (P<0.05). The 0.25 mg dexamethasone suppression test reveals increased feedback inhibition of the HPA in borderline personality disorder.
Carrasco
Jose L
JL
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Clínico San Carlos. c/Martin Lagos s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. jcarrasco.hcsc@salud.madrid.org
Díaz-Marsá
Marina
M
Pastrana
Jose I
JI
Molina
Rosa
R
Brotons
Loreto
L
López-Ibor
María I
MI
López-Ibor
Juan J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone