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The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system in panic disorder.
S Goldstein1, U Halbreich, G Asnis
1State University of New York, Buffalo.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Patients with panic disorder show elevated cortisol levels, similar to those with major depressive disorder. This suggests overlapping hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system dysfunction in both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system is implicated in stress response and mood disorders.
- Panic disorder and major depressive disorder are distinct psychiatric conditions with potential neuroendocrine links.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate HPA system function in panic disorder patients.
- To compare HPA axis activity between panic disorder, major depressive disorder, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 24 panic disorder outpatients, 38 major depressive disorder outpatients, and 61 healthy controls.
- Utilized the afternoon continuous cortisol test and the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST).
Main Results:
- Panic disorder patients exhibited significantly higher mean basal cortisol levels than healthy controls.
- Cortisol levels in panic disorder patients were comparable to those with major depressive disorder.
- Only three panic disorder patients showed abnormal DST results.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder is associated with HPA system dysfunction.
- This HPA axis abnormality in panic disorder overlaps with that observed in major depressive disorder.