Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Steroids and depression.

B E Murphy1

  • 1Reproductive Physiology Unit, Montreal General Hospital, Canada.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|May 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

High cortisol levels are common in major depression, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Steroid suppression may improve depression, suggesting steroids play a role in its development and persistence.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Nanoclusters and nanolines: the effect of molybdenum oxide substrate stoichiometry on iron self-assembly.

Nanotechnology·2017
Same author

Effect of maternal serum on viability and function of early human placental explants.

In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal·2016
Same author

Atomically resolved STM imaging with a diamond tip: simulation and experiment.

Nanotechnology·2013
Same author

Growth and ordering of Ni(II) diphenylporphyrin monolayers on Ag(111) and Ag/Si(111) studied by STM and LEED.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2012
Same author

Allopregnanolone assays.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2001
Same author

How much "UFC" is really cortisol?

Clinical chemistry·2000
Same journal

L-Arginine Improves Prenatal and Pre-pubertal Codeine-Induced Steroidogenesis Deregulation by Suppressing Oxidative Stress-Dependent Signaling in Male Wistar Rats.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
Same journal

Discovery of 17-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl-3α-hydroxy-5α-androstanes (17IPAs) as novel potent positive allosteric modulators of the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor: Synthesis, in vitro and in silico studies.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
Same journal

Androgen receptor as therapeutic indicator for LAR-positive triple-negative breast cancer: Preclinical and clinical assessment.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
Same journal

The 24,25(OH)<sub>2</sub>D<sub>3</sub>-TLCD3B signaling complex and reproductive function in mice and men.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
Same journal

Testosterone and epitestosterone differentially regulate UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) activity.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
Same journal

Interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 is associated to increased primary bile acids and fibrosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology·2026
See all related articles

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Psychiatry
  • Metabolic studies

Background:

  • Endogenous depression is associated with high cortisol levels, yet lacks Cushing's syndrome signs.
  • Depression is a common symptom in Cushing's syndrome and often improves with cortisol reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the poorly understood mechanisms of hypercortisolemia and dexamethasone resistance in major depression.
  • To explore the potential role of steroid alterations and metabolism in depression.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cortisol levels and diurnal rhythms in patients with endogenous depression.
  • Comparison of psychiatric features in endogenous hypercorticism versus exogenous glucocorticoid/ACTH administration.
  • Exploration of steroid metabolism and other steroid products in hyperactive adrenal tissue.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Patients with endogenous depression exhibit high cortisol but maintain diurnal rhythm, without Cushing's physical signs.
  • Psychiatric manifestations differ between endogenous hypercorticism and exogenous steroid exposure.
  • Preliminary findings suggest potential improvement in major depression with steroid suppression.

Conclusions:

  • The mechanisms behind hypercortisolemia in depression are complex and may involve factors beyond ACTH.
  • Alterations in steroid metabolism or the presence of other steroids might contribute to depression.
  • Steroids themselves are hypothesized to be implicated in the causation and perpetuation of depression.