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Elevated fingernail cortisol levels in major depressive episodes.

Andres Herane-Vives1, Susanne Fischer2, Valeria de Angel2

  • 1Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Departamento de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile.

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|November 21, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Cortisol levels measured in fingernails are elevated in major depressive episodes (MDE), correlating with depression severity and melancholic symptoms. This novel method offers a clearer biomarker for MDE.

Keywords:
Fingernail cortisol depression

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Psychiatry
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Cortisol's role as a biomarker in major depressive episodes (MDE) is unclear due to inconsistent findings.
  • Methodological limitations in measuring cortisol may contribute to variability.
  • Fingernails offer a novel matrix for assessing aggregate cortisol over time, potentially clarifying MDE-related cortisol changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate aggregate cortisol levels in MDE using fingernail samples.
  • To explore the correlation between fingernail cortisol and MDE clinical characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Cortisol levels were measured in fingernails of 26 individuals with MDE and 45 healthy controls.
  • An aggregate measure of cortisol over a 15-day period was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with MDE exhibited significantly higher mean fingernail cortisol levels than controls.
  • Elevated cortisol correlated with greater depression severity, non-reactive depression, and melancholic symptoms.
  • Fatigue showed a negative correlation with cortisol levels.

Conclusions:

  • Aggregate measurement of cortisol over two weeks using fingernails indicates elevated levels in MDE.
  • Fingernail cortisol alterations are associated with key clinical features and subtypes of depression.