Is antidiuretic hormone elevated in psychosis? A pilot study.

Plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) measured by radioimmunoassay was higher in acutely psychotic subjects than in acutely anxious nonpsychotic subjects or normal subjects. ADH was not elevated in acutely anxious nonpsychotic subjects. ADH was positively correlated with degree of psychosis. Normal osmolar and volume regulatory mechanisms did not seem responsible for the ADH elevations in the psychotic subjects. Because ADH is both produced in the hypothalamus and can be accurately measured in blood, this substance may prove particularly valuable in the study of psychiatric disorders.