Volumetric differences in the pituitary between drug-naïve and medicated male patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are induced or aggravated by stress, and the pituitary is a key component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. We examined pituitary volume in drug-naïve and medicated male patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).


METHODS
Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging studies were conducted on 62 male control subjects, medicated male patients (N=50) and drug-naïve male patients (N=12) with OCD.


RESULTS
Pituitary volume was significantly smaller in drug-naïve patients with OCD (464.97+/-55.82 mm(3)) compared to medicated patients (577.84+/-129.11 mm(3), P=0.004) and control subjects (543.04+/-113.70 mm(3), P=0.027), and no difference between control subjects and medicated patients (P=0.174).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that drug-naïve male patients with OCD exhibit decreased pituitary volume. This finding suggests that dysregulation of the HPA axis in OCD may influence pituitary volume. In addition, the increased pituitary volume in medicated patients may reflect the effect of drugs on the pituitary.
Jung
Myung Hun
MH
Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Huh
Min Jung
MJ
Kang
Do-Hyung
DH
Choi
Jung-Seok
JS
Jung
Wi Hoon
WH
Jang
Joon Hwan
JH
Park
Ji-Young
JY
Han
Ji Yeon
JY
Choi
Chi-Hoon
CH
Kwon
Jun Soo
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors