TY - JOUR
T1 - The Effects of Dexamethasone on Plasma Homovanillic Acid and 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol
T2 - Evidence for Abnormal Corticosteroid-Catecholamine Interactions in Major Depression
AU - Wolkowitz, Owen M.
AU - Doran, Allen R.
AU - Breier, Allan
AU - Roy, Alec
AU - Jimerson, David C.
AU - Sutton, Mary E.
AU - Golden, Robert N.
AU - Paul, Steven M.
AU - Pickar, David
PY - 1987/9
Y1 - 1987/9
N2 - We investigated the possible interactions between corticosteroids and catecholamines in depression by studying the effects of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone on plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4--hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in a group of depressed patients and normal controls. In comparison with metabolite levels on a control day, normal controls showed a significant dexamethasone-induced increase in the plasma HVA level and a trend toward a decrease in the plasma MHPG level at 4 PM following dexamethasone administration (1 mg orally at 11 PM). Conversely, depressed patients, particularly those with psychotic features, showed a significant dexamethasone-induced increase in the plasma MHPG level and a blunting of the plasma HVA response relative to the normal controls. Dexamethasoneinduced increases in the plasma MHPG level were directly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms and with postdexamethasone cortisol levels in the depressed patients. These data suggest abnormal corticosteroid-catecholamine interactions in depression and, specifically, in depressed patients with psychotic features.
AB - We investigated the possible interactions between corticosteroids and catecholamines in depression by studying the effects of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone on plasma levels of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4--hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in a group of depressed patients and normal controls. In comparison with metabolite levels on a control day, normal controls showed a significant dexamethasone-induced increase in the plasma HVA level and a trend toward a decrease in the plasma MHPG level at 4 PM following dexamethasone administration (1 mg orally at 11 PM). Conversely, depressed patients, particularly those with psychotic features, showed a significant dexamethasone-induced increase in the plasma MHPG level and a blunting of the plasma HVA response relative to the normal controls. Dexamethasoneinduced increases in the plasma MHPG level were directly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms and with postdexamethasone cortisol levels in the depressed patients. These data suggest abnormal corticosteroid-catecholamine interactions in depression and, specifically, in depressed patients with psychotic features.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0023616583&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1001/archpsyc.1987.01800210026004
DO - 10.1001/archpsyc.1987.01800210026004
M3 - Article
C2 - 3632251
AN - SCOPUS:0023616583
SN - 0003-990X
VL - 44
SP - 782
EP - 789
JO - Archives of General Psychiatry
JF - Archives of General Psychiatry
IS - 9
ER -