Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neuroendocrine Function in Depression

  • Conference paper
The Origins of Depression: Current Concepts and Approaches

Part of the book series: Dahlem Workshop Reports Life Sciences Research Report ((DAHLEM LIFE,volume 26))

Abstract

Changes in hormone dynamics occur in some patients with endogenous depression. These include hypersecretion of ACTH and Cortisol, nonsuppression of Cortisol by dexamethasone, blunted TSH response to TRH, reduced nocturnal GH secretion and GH responses to several secretory stimuli, reduced secretion of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids, and possible disturbances of other hormones as well. Some of these hormone changes may prove to be useful as ancillary laboratory aids in the differential diagnosis of endogenous depression and in the determination of the adequacy of treatment. These neuroendocrine changes also are relevant for etiology, in that both the affect disturbance and the endocrine changes may be sequelae of common CNS neurotransmitter dysfunctions. However, this hypothesis remains to be verified.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. 1980. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd ed. Washington, D. C.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brown, G.M.; Seggie, J.A.; Chambers, J.W.; and Ettigi, P.G. 1978. Psychoendocrinology and growth hormone: A review. Psychoneuroendocrinology3:131–153.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Carroll, B.J. 1978. Neuroendocrine dysfunction in psychiatric disorders. In Psychopharmacology: A Generation of Progress, eds. M. A. Lipton, A. DiMascio, and K. E. Killam, pp. 487–497. New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Carroll, B.J. 1982. The dexamethasone suppression test for melancholia. Brit. J. Psychiat. 140: 292–304.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Carroll, B.J.; Feinberg, M.; Greden, J.F.; Tarika, J.; Albala, A.A.; Haskett, R.F.; James, N. Mel.; Kronfol, Z.; Lohr, N.; Steiner, M.; de Vigne, J.P.; and Young, E. 1981. A specific laboratory test for the diagnosis of melancholia: Standardization, validation, and clinical utility. Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 38: 15–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Charles, G.; Vandewalle, J.; Meunier, J.C.; Wilmotte, J.; Noel, G.; Foussoul, C.; Mardens, Y.; and Mendlewicz, J. 1982. Plasma and urinary Cortisol levels after dexamethasone in affective disorders. J. Affect. Dis. 3: 397–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Checkley, S. A. 1980. Neuroendocrine tests of monoamine function in man: A review of basic theory and its application to the study of depressive illness. Psychol. Med. 10:35–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Checkley, S.A.; Glass, LB.; and Shur, E. 1982. Central a2-adrenoreceptor function in depression. Lancet i: 1359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Extein, I; Pottash, A.L.C.; and Gold, M.S. 1981. Relationship of thyrotropin-releasing hormone test and dexamethasone suppression test abnormalities in unipolar depression. Psychiat. Res. 4: 49–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Extein, I.; Pottash, A.L.C.; and Gold, M.S. 1981. The thyrotropinreleasing hormone test in the diagnosis of unipolar depression. Psychiat. Res. 5:311–316.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Extein, I.; Pottash, A.L.C.; Gold, M.S.; and Cowdry, R.W. 1982. Using the protirelin test to distinguish mania from schizophrenia. Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 39: 77–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Fang, V.S.; Warenica, B.; and Meltzer, H.Y. 1982. Dexamethasone suppression test: technique and accuracy. Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 39:1217.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Galen, R.S., and Gambino, R.S. 1975. Beyond Normality: The Predictive Value and Efficiency of Medical Diagnosis. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ganong, W.F. 1977. Neurotransmitters involved in ACTH secretion: catecholamines. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 297: 509–517.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Gold, M.S.; Pottash, A.L.C.; and Extein, I. 1981. Hypothyroidism and depression: Evidence from complete thyroid function evaluation. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 245: 1919–1922.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gold, M.S.; Pottash, A.L.C.; and Extein, I. 1982. “Symptomless” autoimmune thyroiditis in depression. Psychiat. Res. 6: 261–269.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Golstein, J.; Cauter, E. van; Linkowski, P.; Vanhaelst, L.; and Mendlewicz, J. 1980. TSH nyctohemeral pattern in primary depression: differences between unipolar and bipolar women. Life Sci. 27: 1695-1703.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hollister, L.; Davis, K.L.; and Berger, P.A. 1977. Thyrotropinreleasing hormone and psychiatric disorders. In Neuroregulators and Psychiatric Disorders, eds. E. Usdin, D.A. Hamburg, and J. D. Barchas, pp. 250–257. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Holsboer, F.; Dorr, H.G.; and Sippell, W.G. 1982. Blunted aldosterone response to dexamethasone in female patients with endogenous depression. Psychoneuroendocrinology 7: 155–162.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Holsboer, F.; Liebl, R.; and Hofschuster, E. 1982. Repeated dexamethasone suppression test during depressive illness: Normalization of test result compared with clinical improvement. J. Affect. Dis. 4:93–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Holsboer, F.; Winter, K.; Doerr, H.; and Sippell, W.G. 1982. Dexamethasone suppression test in female patients with endogenous depression: determinations of plasma corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxyCortisol, Cortisol, and cortisone. Psychoneuroendocrinology 7, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Iversen, L.L. 1982. Neurotransmitters and CNS disease. Lancet ii: 914–918.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Jackson, I. M. D. 1982. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone. New. Engl. J. Med. 306: 145–155.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Jones, M.T.; Hillhouse, E.; and Burden, J. 1976. Secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone in vitro. In Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, eds. L.Martini and W.F. Ganong, vol.4, pp. 195–226. New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kendell, R.E. 1976. The classification of depressions: A review of contemporary confusion. Brit. J. Psychiat. 129: 15–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kendler, K.S., and Davis, K.L. 1977. Elevated corticosteroids as a possible cause of abnormal neuroendocrine function in depressive illness. Commun. Psychopharmacol. 1: 183–194.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. (27) Kijne, B.; Aggernaes, H.; Fog-Moller, F.; Andersen, H.H.; Nissen, J.; Kirkegaard, C; and Bjorum, N. 1982. Circadian variation of serum thyrotropin in endogenous depression. Psychiat. Res. 6: 277–282.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kirkegaard, C. 1981. The thyrotropin response to thyrotropinreleasing hormone in endogenous depression. Psychoneuroendocrinology 6:189–212.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Kirkegaard, C, and Faber, J. 1981. Altered serum levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronines and diiodothyronines in endogenous depression. Acta Endocrinol. 96: 199–207.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Klein, D. F. 1974. Endogenomorphic depression. A conceptual and terminological revision. Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 31: 447–454.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Koslow, S.H.; Stokes, P. E.; Mendels, J.; Ramsey, A.; and Casper, R. 1982. Insulin tolerance test: Human growth hormone response and insulin resistance in primary unipolar depressed, bipolar depressed and control subjects. Psychol. Med. 12: 45–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Loosen, P.T., and Prange, A.J. 1982. Serum thyrotropin response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in psychiatric patients. A review. Am. J. Psychiat. 139: 405–416.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. McAllister, T.W.; Ferrell, R.B.; Price, T.R.P.; and Neville, M. B. 1982. The dexamethasone suppression test in two patients with severe depressive pseudodementia. Am. J. Psychiat. 139: 479–481.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Meikle, W. 1982. Dexamethasone suppression tests: Usefulness of simultaneous measurement of plasma Cortisol and dexamethasone. Clin. Endocrinol. 16: 401–408.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Morley, J. E. 1981. Neuroendocrine control of thyrotropin secretion. Endocrine Rev. 2: 396–436.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Poland, R.E., and Rubin, R.T. 1982. Saliva Cortisol levels following dexamethasone administration in endogenously depressed patients. Life Sci. 30: 177–181.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Raskind, M.; Peskind, E.; Rivard, M.-F.; Veith, R.; and Barnes, R. 1982. Dexamethasone suppression test and Cortisol circadian rhythm in primary degenerative dementia. Am. J. Psychiat. 139: 1468–1471.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Reus, V.I. 1982. Pituitary-adrenal disinhibition as the independent variable in the assessment of behavioral symptoms. Biol. Psychiat. 17: 317–326.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Rubin, R.T. 1981. Sex steroid hormone dynamics in depression: A review. Int. J. Ment. Health 10: 43–59.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Rubin, R.T., and Kendler, K. S. 1977. Psychoneuroendocrinology: Fundamental concepts and clinical correlates in depression. In Depression: Clinical, Biological, and Psychological Perspectives, ed. G. Usdin, pp. 122–138. New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Rubin, R.T., and Mandell, A.J. 1966. Adrenal cortical activity in pathological emotional states: A review. Am. J. Psychiat. 123:387–400.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Rubin, R.T., and Poland, R. E. 1982. The chronoendocrinology of endogenous depression. In Neuroendocrine Perspectives, eds. R. M. MacLeod and E. E. Müller, vol. 1, pp. 305–337. Amsterdam: Elsevier/ North Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rubin, R.T., and Poland, R. E. 1983. Pituitary-adrenocortical and pituitary-gonadal function in affective disorder. In Neuroendocrinology of Psychiatric Disorder, eds. G. M. Brown, S. H. Koslow, and S. Reichlin. New York: Raven Press, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Rubin, R.T., and Poland, R. E. 1983. The dexamethasone suppression test in depression: Advantages and limitations. In Advances in Neuropsychopharmacology, ed. G. D. Burrows. London: John Libbey, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Rubin, R.T.; Poland, R.E.; Blodgett, A.L.N.; Winston, R.A.; Forster, B.; and Carroll, B.J. 1980. Cortisol dynamics and dexamethasone pharmacokinetics in primary endogenous depression: Preliminary findings. In Progress in Psychoneuroendocrinology, eds. F. Brambilla, G.Racagni, and D.deWied, pp. 223–234. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Rubin, R.T.; Poland, R.E.; Blodgett, A.L.N.; Winston, R.A.; Forster, B.; and Hart, P.J. 1981. Endocrine responses to perturbation tests in primary endogenous depression: Preliminary findings. In Biological Psychiatry 1981, eds. C. Perris, G. Struwe, and B. Jansson, pp. 1239–1243. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Rubin, R.T.; Poland, R.E.; and Hays, S.E. 1979. Psychoneuroendocrine research in endogenous depression: A review. In Biological Psy chiatry Today, eds. J. Obiols, C. Ballus, E. Gonzalez-Monclus, and J.Pujol, pp. 684–688. Amsterdam: Elsevier/North Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Selye, H. 1973. The evolution of the stress concept. Am. Scientist 61: 692–699.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Spar, J. E., and Gerner, R. 1982. Does the dexamethasone suppres sion test distinguish dementia from depression? Am. J. Psychiat. 139: 238–240.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Spitzer, R.L.; Endicott, J.; and Robins, E. 1978. Research diagnostic criteria: Rationale and reliability. Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 35: 773–782.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Van Loon, G. R. 1973. Brain catecholamines and ACTH secretion. In Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 1973, eds. W. F. Ganong and L. Martini, pp. 209–247. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Wilkin, T.J.; Baldet, L.; Papachristou, C.; and Jaffiol, C. 1979. The TRH test: Which is the best index of TSH release? Ann. Endocrinol. (Paris) 40: 495–500.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90509, USA

    R. T. Rubin & R. E. Poland

Authors
  1. R. T. Rubin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. E. Poland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

J. Angst

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1983 Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: Springer-Verlag.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Rubin, R.T., Poland, R.E. (1983). Neuroendocrine Function in Depression. In: Angst, J. (eds) The Origins of Depression: Current Concepts and Approaches. Dahlem Workshop Reports Life Sciences Research Report, vol 26. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69129-4_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69129-4_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-69131-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-69129-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation