Title: A longitudinal evaluation of dexamethasone and cortisol plasma concentrations in the dexamethasone suppression test before and during treatment with antidepressant drugs. Author: Guthrie SK, Vartanian L, Grunhaus L, Hariharan M, Pande A, Haskett RF. Journal: Acta Psychiatr Scand; 1990 Dec; 82(6):427-32. PubMed ID: 2291411. Abstract: Thirty depressed in- and outpatients received serial dexamethasone suppression tests (DSTs). Plasma dexamethasone and cortisol concentrations were drawn at 1600 on the day following a 1-mg oral dose of dexamethasone. The first DST was performed after patients were drug-free for a period of 1 week; the second, third, and fourth DSTs while patients received antidepressant medication. Dexamethasone and cortisol concentrations drawn in the drug-free period correlated significantly. The cortisol to dexamethasone ratio changed significantly with time in DST nonsuppressors, suggesting that nonsuppression is associated with an altered pharmacodynamic response of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis to dexamethasone during depression. When dexamethasone concentrations from the drug-free period were compared with those drawn during antidepressant treatment, no significant differences were noted.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]
