OBJECTIVE: Current hypotheses hold that mechanisms underlying abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) function are causal factors in the precipitation of depression. If this is the case, then normalization of initially disturbed HPA regulation should indicate a good prognosis and persistent HPA dysregulation should be associated with a greater likelihood of relapse or chronicity. METHOD: The combined dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test was administered twice to inpatients with major depression (N = 40), once after initiation of treatment and once after remission, shortly before discharge. RESULTS: Patients with a high cortisol response on both occasions or with a substantially increased cortisol response at discharge were at much higher risk for relapse within the next 6 months than those with low cortisol responses. CONCLUSIONS: An easy-to-administer neuroendocrine test allows the prediction of medium-term outcome in patients with remitted depression.
OBJECTIVE: Current hypotheses hold that mechanisms underlying abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) function are causal factors in the precipitation of depression. If this is the case, then normalization of initially disturbed HPA regulation should indicate a good prognosis and persistent HPA dysregulation should be associated with a greater likelihood of relapse or chronicity. METHOD: The combined dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test was administered twice to inpatients with major depression (N = 40), once after initiation of treatment and once after remission, shortly before discharge. RESULTS:Patients with a high cortisol response on both occasions or with a substantially increased cortisol response at discharge were at much higher risk for relapse within the next 6 months than those with low cortisol responses. CONCLUSIONS: An easy-to-administer neuroendocrine test allows the prediction of medium-term outcome in patients with remitted depression.
Authors: Cornelius Schüle; Thomas C Baghai; Daniela Eser; Peter Zwanzger; Martina Jordan; Renate Buechs; Rainer Rupprecht Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2006-04-22 Impact factor: 4.530
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Authors: Andrea de Abreu Feijó de Mello; Marcelo Feijó de Mello; Linda L Carpenter; Lawrence H Price Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2004-01-15 Impact factor: 2.697
Authors: Cornelius Schüle; Thomas C Baghai; Daniela Eser; Sibylle Häfner; Christoph Born; Sascha Herrmann; Rainer Rupprecht Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-01-29 Impact factor: 3.240