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Symptomatology and cognitive impairment associate independently with post-dexamethasone cortisol concentrations in
J W Newcomer1, W O Faustman, H A Whiteford
1Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Abstract:
Serum cortisol concentrations were measured after dexamethasone administration (1 mg) in 21 neuroleptic-free schizophrenic inpatients. Patients were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and a battery of cognitive tests. A significant correlation was found between negative symptoms and both 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM post-dexamethasone cortisol concentration (PDC). Cognitive impairment on several measures was also correlated with 8 AM PDC, but in an independent manner. Although positive and negative symptoms were unrelated, exploratory analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between a positive symptom grouping and both 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM PDC.