The authors performed dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), TRH
infusions, 72-hour urine collections, and lumbar punctures on a group of
male depressed patients. Approximately 60% of the patients were DST
positive and 33% had a blunted TSH response. Two biologic variables, the 8
a.m. postdexamethasone cortisol and the postprobenecid CSF 5-
hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), accounted for over half of the variance
in the behavioral measure, the Hamilton score. Plasma cortisol elevation
was associated with high 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) excretion;
TSH blunting was associated with low urinary MHPG excretion. Comprehensive
biologic measures showed certain significant interrelationships and
correlations with the severity of depression.
Abstract Teaser