title: Serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels in schizophrenic patients and their first-degree relatives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alterations in cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels are thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of serum cortisol and DHEA-S in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty schizophrenic patients, 70 healthy first-degree relatives, and 60 healthy volunteers were included. Sociodemographic characteristics, data regarding disease duration and severity, as well as ongoing and previous drug use were recorded. Serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels were significantly higher in the schizophrenia group compared with the first-degree relatives and controls (P < 0.05). Serum cortisol levels in the first-degree relatives were significantly higher than in the healthy controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the first-degree relatives and healthy-controls in terms of DHEA-S levels and between the three groups in terms of serum cortisol/DHEA-S ratios.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated serum cortisol levels in schizophrenic patients might be associated with the role of cortisol in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Also, the elevation of serum cortisol levels in first-degree relatives compared to controls suggests that similar pathophysiological processes might have a role in individuals without any disease symptoms, but with a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia. Elevated serum DHEA-S levels might be the result of a compensatory response to elevated cortisol levels. Serum cortisol and DHEA-S levels may be used as a biological marker for the diagnosis of schizophrenia; however, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to support this finding.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Sirnak Government Hospital, Şirnak, Turkey. farmakolog@gmail.com
authors: Osman
authors: O
authors: Yıldırım
authors: Orhan
authors: O
authors: Dogan
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Semiz
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Kilicli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone