Immunoreactive somatomedin B is increased in serum in patients with major depressive disorder

Serum levels of immunoreactive somatomedin B (RIA-B) were investigated in patients with major depressive disorder both in the acute state and during remission at 8 h and 22 h and at 22 h after the dexamethasone suppression test. Elevated levels of RIA-B at 8 h and at 22 h after the dexamethasone suppression test were found consistently in the patient group compared with the healthy controls. No indication was obtained that the patients' clinical condition or depressive symptomatology as revealed by their CPRS score, psychotropic medication or TSH, prolactin, melatonin or cortisol levels was significantly related to the RIA-B levels.