Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

Hormones of the Adrenal Glands

Adrenal hormones play a pivotal role in maintaining the body's electrolyte balance and orchestrating responses to stress, showcasing the intricate functions of the adrenal cortex and medulla.
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Oman.

European heart journal supplements : journal of the European Society of Cardiology·2020

Same author

Early or elective coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

The National medical journal of India·2018

Same author

P300 latency as an indicator of severity in major depressive disorder.

Industrial psychiatry journal·2016

Same author

Effect of Liverubin™ on hepatic biochemical profile in patients of alcoholic liver disease: a retrospective study.

Minerva medica·2015

Same author

The effect of ammonium and nitrate on CO2 assimilation, RuBP and PEP carboxylase activity and dry matter production in wheat.

Photosynthesis research·2014

Same author

The effect of ammonium and nitrate on carbondioxide compensation point and enzymes associated with carbondioxide exchange in wheat.

Photosynthesis research·2014

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Published on: April 25, 2016

Adrenocortical dysfunction in depression: response to dexamethasone suppression test - a comparative study.

K C Gurnani¹, S N Sharma, J P Chansouria

¹Lecturer in Dept. of Psychiatry, S.N. Medical College, Agra.

Indian Journal of Psychiatry

|September 20, 2011

Summary

Depressed patients exhibit elevated adrenocortical activity and abnormal cortisol suppression, distinguishing them from schizophrenics. These findings highlight cortisol levels as potential biomarkers for differentiating major depressive disorder from schizophrenia.

More Related Videos

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory

Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory

Published on: June 18, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Published on: April 25, 2016

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory

Eye Tracking, Cortisol, and a Sleep vs. Wake Consolidation Delay: Combining Methods to Uncover an Interactive Effect of Sleep and Cortisol on Memory

Published on: June 18, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroendocrinology
Psychiatry

Background:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Schizophrenia are distinct psychiatric conditions.
Adrenocortical activity, particularly cortisol levels, is implicated in mood disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate adrenocortical activity differences between MDD, Schizophrenia, and healthy controls.
To assess the utility of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in differentiating these groups.

Main Methods:

Overnight dexamethasone suppression test administered to 30 patients with MDD, 30 with Schizophrenia, and 30 healthy controls.
Plasma and urinary cortisol levels were measured before and after dexamethasone administration.

Main Results:

Depressed patients showed increased baseline cortisol and abnormal early escape from suppression, correlating with depression severity.
Abnormal post-dexamethasone urinary cortisol and combined cortisol values were key differentiators between depressed patients and schizophrenics.
Schizophrenia patients did not significantly differ from healthy controls in cortisol levels at any stage.

Conclusions:

Cortisol dysregulation, indicated by DST abnormalities, is characteristic of Major Depressive Disorder.
DST offers a potential biochemical method for differentiating MDD from Schizophrenia.
Further research into specific depressive subtypes (bipolar, retarded) may reveal nuanced adrenocortical patterns.