TY - JOUR
T1 - The oCRH stimulation test before and after clinical recovery from depression
AU - Amsterdam, Jay D.
AU - Maislin, Greg
AU - Winokur, Andrew
AU - Berwish, Neil
AU - Kling, Mitchell
AU - Gold, Philip
PY - 1988
Y1 - 1988
N2 - A substantial body of data suggests that excessive cortisol secretion in depression may result from a dysregulation at several sites within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. These alterations in regulatory mechanisms are thought to be the result of a hypothalamic 'overdrive' of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Previous studies have demonstrated a diminished adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretory response, as well as a heightened adrenocortical responsiveness after ovine-CRH administration in depressed patients. In the present investigation, we examined pituitary and adrenocortical responsiveness after an ovine-CRH stimulation test before and during clinical recovery in seven depressed patients. Cumulative ACTH responses increased significantly during clinical recovery (P=0.014). Paradoxically, maximum and peak cortisol responses increased after recovery, suggesting that heightened adrenocortical responsiveness to ACTH during depression may take longer to 'normalize' than abnormal pituitary responsiveness to ovine-CRH stimulation.
AB - A substantial body of data suggests that excessive cortisol secretion in depression may result from a dysregulation at several sites within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. These alterations in regulatory mechanisms are thought to be the result of a hypothalamic 'overdrive' of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Previous studies have demonstrated a diminished adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretory response, as well as a heightened adrenocortical responsiveness after ovine-CRH administration in depressed patients. In the present investigation, we examined pituitary and adrenocortical responsiveness after an ovine-CRH stimulation test before and during clinical recovery in seven depressed patients. Cumulative ACTH responses increased significantly during clinical recovery (P=0.014). Paradoxically, maximum and peak cortisol responses increased after recovery, suggesting that heightened adrenocortical responsiveness to ACTH during depression may take longer to 'normalize' than abnormal pituitary responsiveness to ovine-CRH stimulation.
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U2 - 10.1016/0165-0327(88)90037-7
DO - 10.1016/0165-0327(88)90037-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 2838538
AN - SCOPUS:0023923015
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 14
SP - 213
EP - 222
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
IS - 3
ER -