This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
Abstract
A family history of depression (but no alcoholism), a history of bipolarity, and a
history of nonsuppressor status on the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) have all
been positively associated with each other in previous studies. We divided depressives
into three mutually exclusive groups, using the three historical parameters described
above. Group A included those who were nonsuppressors at index. Group B included normal
suppressors at index who met one of the following three criteria: (1) past history
of a nonsuppressing DST, (2) past history of a mania, and (3) family history of depression
(but no alcoholism). The remaining suppressors at index made up Group C. We found
that Groups A and B show a phase advance (an earlier nadir) in the predexamethasone
circadian curve for cortisol. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) varies in part (but
not solely) with cortisol and may separate the groups.
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Biological PsychiatryAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- 3rd ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC1980 (DSM-III)
- The dexamethasone suppression test for melancholia.Br J Psychiatry. 1982; 140: 292
- Dexamethasone suppression test response in major depression: Stability across hospitalizations.Psychiatry Res. 1982; 8: 179
- Plasma ACTH and cortisol levels in depressed patients: Relation to dexamethasone suppression test.Life Sci. 1981; 29: 931
- Plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations before and after dexamethasone.Psychiatry Res. 1982; 7: 87
- Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1985; (in press)
- Dexamethasone suppression test in primary depression: Significance of family history and psychosis.Biol Psychiatry. 1982; 17: 41
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in depressive illness.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1980; 37: 737
- Subtypes of unipolar depression distinguished by the dexamethasone suppression test.J Affect Disord. 1982; 4: 21
Article info
Footnotes
☆Supported in part by USPHS-NIMH Grant 34697 and grant RR 59 from the General Clinical Research Centers Program, NIH.
Identification
Copyright
© 1985 Published by Elsevier Inc.
