Circadian Rhythm of Plasma Cortisol in Endogenous Psychoses

Circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol in migraine.

“…As to other psychiatric conditions, marked deviations from normal plasma cortisol levels have been reported in anorexia nervosa and in schizophrenia (Suwa et al, 1974;Katz et al, 1976), although the latter finding has been challenged (Carroll, 1976). In our study, all control subjects and eight of 11 migraine patients with normal plasma cortisol levels had normal MMPI test results, with minimal abnormality in the other three.…”

“…One study has concluded that the abnormal patterns of plasma cortisol levels are characteristic of patients with "organic" as opposed to "psychogenic" pain (Shenkin, 1964). There has been much evidence that plasma cortisol is altered profoundly by certain psychiatric states (Suwa et al, 1974;Carroll, 1976;Miyabo et al, 1976) but no studies have been done of the circadian rhythm of plasma cortisol in patients with painful conditions. We thought it would be of interest to make a specific study of the circadian patterns of plasma cortisol in patients with migraine.…”

Endocrine changes and clinical profiles in depression: I. The dexamethasone suppression test

“…Such processes may also occur in other conditions, as non-suppression has been reported in some patients with schizophrenia (Shulman & Diewold, 1977), anorexia nervosa (Gerner & Gwirtsman, 1981), bulimia nervosa (Hudson et al 1982), dementia (Spar & Gerner, 1982) and chronic 'psychogenic' pain (Blumer et al 1982). Suwa et al (1974), in a large study of HPA function in a heterogenous population of psychiatric patients, suggested that there could be two factors accounting for disinhibition of the HPA axis: 'emotional turmoil' and 'disease processes involving certain areas of the central nervous system' (such as the temporal lobes).…”

Plasma cortisol levels in depression and other psychiatric disorders: a study of newly admitted psychiatric patients

“…Finally, if one accepts the evidence that the HPA system is hyperactive in depression, and that this hyperactivity is not due to environmental stress, it is not clear whether it is specific for depression as compared with other mental disorders. Reports on elevated corticosteroid levels and/or disrupted diurnal pattern in some stages of schizophrenia (Sachar et al 1976;Suwa et al 1974), in general paresis and epilepsy (Suwa et al 1974), suggest that HPA activity is elevated in other syndromes as well.…”

“…Basal cortisol levels did not reliably discriminate between depression and 'other' disorders, but the presence of 2 or more post-dexamethasone abnormal values identified depression at a high confidence level. Only one cross-diagnostic study considered separately patients with organic brain syndrome (Suwa et al 1974), and there are no data concerning comparison with psychiatric patients who recently abused alcohol, a factor known to affect secretion of corticosteroids.…”