Abstract
Rationale
Cortisol hypersecretion is regarded as important in the pathophysiology of major depression. However, recent studies in community-based samples have been inconclusive.
Objective
To determine whether acutely depressed, medication-free subjects show an exaggerated release of cortisol in saliva in relation to awakening.
Methods
We studied the pattern of waking salivary cortisol in 20 unmedicated acutely depressed subjects and 40 healthy controls.
Results
In both groups, salivary cortisol increased rapidly after waking, peaking at 30 min. Overall, patients with acute depression secreted approximately 25% more cortisol than controls, though 60 min after waking, their cortisol levels were similar.
Conclusions
Depressed patients in the community appear to have increased early morning cortisol secretion, but the demonstration of this effect requires control for time of waking.
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Acknowledgements
The study was supported by the Medical Research Council. The authors thank Alison Reed for technical assistance.
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Bhagwagar, Z., Hafizi, S. & Cowen, P.J. Increased salivary cortisol after waking in depression. Psychopharmacology 182, 54–57 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0062-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-005-0062-z