The differential ACTH responses to combined dexamethasone/CRH administration in major depressive and dysthymic disorders

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 325 - 328
• Main Authors: Oshima, Akihiko, Yamashita, Saori, Owashi, Toshimi, Murata, Takuhiko, Tadokoro, Chiyoko, Miyaoka, Hitoshi, Kamijima, Kunitoshi, Higuchi, Teruhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adrenal steroids; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - blood; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - metabolism; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - metabolism; Clinical neuroendocrinology; Corticotropin; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - pharmacology; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major - metabolism; Dexamethasone - pharmacokinetics; Dysthymic Disorder - metabolism; Female; Humans; Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; Male; Medical sciences; Mood disorders; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Time Factors; Mood disorders; Adrenal steroids; Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; Corticotropin; Clinical neuroendocrinology; Mood disorder; Human; Corticosteroid; Pathophysiology; Hypothalamohypophysoadrenal axis; Peptide hormone; Corticotropin releasing factor; Central nervous system; Biological marker; Depression; Hydrocortisone; Differential diagnostic; Hypothalamic hormone; Dexamethasone test; Dysthymia; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Clinical investigation; Hormone releasing factor; Comparative study; Brain (vertebrata)
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3956(00)00021-2

In a preliminary study, we performed the combined dexamethasone/CRH test on patients with major depressive and dysthymic disorders as well as healthy controls. The ACTH response was significantly enhanced in the major depression group compared to the control group and tended to be hightened compared to the dysthymia group. The cortisol response was not significantly different among the three groups. We assume that major depression and dysthymia are neuroendocrinologically distinct disorders, although whether the difference is quantitative or qualitative remains to be examined.