The dexamethasone suppression test (1 mg and 2 mg) in major depression: illness versus recovery

This study reexamined the 1 mg and 2 mg DST in endogenous depression. Two groups of depressives were evaluated during illness and shortly after clinical recovery; one group with the 2 mg DST (N = 29) and another with the 1 mg DST (N = 16). The 2 mg DST was found to be a reliable state marker: all nonsuppressors during illness (N = 9) became suppressors after recovery. In contrast, the 1 mg DST was not a useful state marker: over 50% of the nonsuppressors during illness remained nonsuppressors after clinical recovery. A discussion of these discrepant findings dependent on the dose of dexamethasone is presented. This study suggests that although most psychiatric investigations are utilizing the 1 mg DST, the 2 mg DST should be reexamined.