In:
British Journal of Psychiatry, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Vol. 165, No. 5 ( 1994-11), p. 650-657
Abstract:
To investigate an association between HPA axis dysfunction, depression and cognitive impairment, we assessed subjects with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). Method Sixteen non-depressed subjects with AD according to NINCDS/ADRDA criteria and 18 normal controls underwent the insulin hypoglycaemia (IH) test and the dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Results The AD subjects showed a blunted response of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) to IH compared with controls ( P = 0.019). ACTH response (area under curve) correlated with a score for cognitive ability (CAMCOG) ( r = 0.64, P 〈 0.01). AD subjects had a shorter time to peak cortisol level than controls ( P = 0.004), although total cortisol response was normal. Conclusions The AD subjects show evidence of adrenal hyper-responsiveness and normal immediate (rate-sensitive) glucocorticoid feedback. An association between HPA axis dysfunction and organic brain pathology in AD subjects may be mediated by cell loss in the hippocampus.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0007-1250
,
1472-1465
DOI:
10.1192/bjp.165.5.650
Language:
English
Publisher:
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Publication Date:
1994
detail.hit.zdb_id:
218103-4
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2021500-9
