title: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response in borderline personality disorder without post-traumatic features.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Clínico San Carlos. c/Martin Lagos s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. jcarrasco.hcsc@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Díaz-Marsá
authors.forename: Jose I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Pastrana
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Loreto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brotons
authors.forename: María I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: López-Ibor
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: López-Ibor
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone