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Plasmatic vasopressin neurophysin in depression: basic levels and relations with HPA axis
M Laruelle1, A Seghers, S Goffinet
1Department of Psychiatry, St Luc Hospital, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Biological Psychiatry
|June 1, 1990
Summary
Depression may involve reduced arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion, indicated by lower vasopressin neurophysin (hNpI) levels in patients. This study did not find AVP involved in early cortisol escape during dexamethasone suppression tests.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Arginine vasopressin (AVP) dysregulation is linked to depression.
- AVP may influence cortisol nonsuppression in depressed individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate plasma vasopressin neurophysin (hNpI) levels in depression.
- Examine the relationship between hNpI, cortisol, and dexamethasone suppression in depressed patients.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay measurement of hNpI and cortisol over 4 days.
- Administered dexamethasone (DXM) to assess its effect on hNpI and cortisol levels.
- Compared patient and control groups, and analyzed DXM escapers vs. non-escapers.
Main Results:
- Depressed patients exhibited lower pre- and post-DXM hNpI levels compared to controls.
- Patients displayed higher pre- and post-DXM cortisol levels than controls.
- DXM administration did not affect hNpI levels; no hNpI difference was found between DXM responders and non-responders.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis of impaired arginine vasopressin secretion in depression.
- Results do not implicate AVP in the early phase of cortisol escape following dexamethasone administration.