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Cortisol activity and cognitive changes in psychotic major depression
J K Belanoff1, M Kalehzan, B Sund
1Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. belanoff@leland.stanford.edu
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|October 2, 2001
Summary
Psychotic major depression shows distinct cognitive and endocrine differences. Patients with psychotic major depression exhibit impaired verbal memory and elevated cortisol levels compared to nonpsychotic major depression and healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Psychotic major depression is theorized as a distinct syndrome.
- Previous studies suggest differences in clinical presentation, biology, and treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in verbal memory performance and cortisol levels.
- To compare patients with psychotic major depression, nonpsychotic major depression, and healthy volunteers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Wallach Memory Recognition Test for verbal memory assessment.
- Measured cortisol levels via blood samples taken at regular intervals throughout the afternoon.
- Included 10 patients with psychotic major depression, 17 with nonpsychotic major depression, and 10 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Psychotic major depression patients made more errors of commission on the memory test.
- Cortisol levels were elevated in psychotic major depression patients compared to the other groups, particularly later in the day.
- No significant differences were found in errors of omission among the groups.
Conclusions:
- Psychotic major depression is endocrinologically distinct from nonpsychotic major depression.
- Cognitive impairments in psychotic major depression differ from those in nonpsychotic major depression.