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Research Article| Volume 20, ISSUE 8, P825-831, August 1985

The dexamethasone suppression test in depressed retarded adults: Preliminary findings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(85)90207-0
The dexamethasone suppression test in depressed retarded adults: Preliminary findings
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      Abstract

      This study was undertaken to determine the utility of the Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST) for diagnosing depression in institutionalized mentally retarded persons. Depressed and nondepressed institutionalized mentally retarded persons were given 1 mg dexamethasone for an overnight DST. Serum cortisol concentrations > 4 μg/dl at both 8:00 am and 4:00 pm provided discrimination of depressed from nondepressed groups. Also, using the criteria of serum cortisol concentrations > 4 μg/dl at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, at 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm, or at 8:00 am, 4:00 pm, and 10:00 pm differentiated these groups. These results suggest that the DST may be useful for detecting melancholia among institutionalized retarded persons.
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      Article info

      Publication history

      Received in revised form: February 5, 1985
      Received: July 30, 1984

      Footnotes

      ☆Supported in part by a research grant awarded to B.E.B. by the University of North Dakota Faculty Research Committee.

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(85)90207-0

      Copyright

      © 1985 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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