Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma free cortisol concentrations in depression

Abstract

SynopsisCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cortisol levels were examined in a total group of 65 patients. Those who were not depressed (ND), and those suffering from depressive neuroses (DN) had marginally elevated values. Patients with unipolar depression (UD) and bipolar depression (BD) had levels twice as high as the ND and DN patients. Psychotic UD and BD patients had the highest values, three to four times as high as the ND and DN subjects. A significant reduction of CSF cortisol levels was observed following treatment and recovery. Manic patients had moderately elevated CSF cortisol values. The CSF results were in good agreement with plasma total cortisol levels and with urinary free cortisol excretion. Age and sex effects were not responsible for the observed differences; similar results were found in patient subgroups studied in Australia and in the United States. Preliminary equilibrium dialysis data are presented for plasma and CSF cortisol binding. CSF cortisol was 20% bound and 80% free. Plasma free cortisol levels were in good agreement with CSF free cortisol values. Depressed patients have increased tissue and central nervous system (CNS) exposure to free, physiologically active glucocorticoids. The appearance of severe depressive symptoms which manifest a diurnal rhythm may be determined in part by excessive CNS exposure to glucocorticoids.

Antidepressant effects of the extract YZ-50 fromPolygala tenuifoliain chronic mild stress treated rats and its possible mechanisms

“…Depressed patients often exhibit hyperactivity in the HPA axis such as hypersecretion of basal CORT (Carroll et al, 1976). The increase of CORT levels might be relative to the decrease of hippocampal BDNF mRNA as it is known that BDNF has well-established effects on neurotrophic procedure and neurogenesis (Barde, 1989;Fossati et al, 2004).…”

Neurobiological aspects of the chronic fatigue syndrome

“…Both 24-h urinary free cortisol excretion [77] and CSF concentrations of cortisol [78] are increased. In conjunction with this hypercortisolaemia, plasma ACTH levels are normal [79,80].…”

Models and mechanisms of anxiety: evidence from startle studies

“…Beyond its long-established functional role in stress-induced endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses via action at the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, CRH supports anxiety, via widespread CRHcontaining neurons at extrahypothalamic sites, in particular in limbic structures (Makino et al 1994a;1994b). Dysregulation of CRH activity has been linked to anxiety and mood disorders (Carroll et al 1976;McEwen 2005;Shea et al 2005) and acute and chronic treatment with CRH in rodents results in potentiation of anxiety-like responses in a number of behavioral assays of anxiety (Adamec and McKay 1993;Diamant et al 1992;Sherman and Kalin 1988). In contrast, CRH antagonists abolish stress-induced potentiation of anxiety (Korte and De Boer 2003).…”