Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The dexamethasone suppression test and pituitary-adrenocortical function.

W A Brown, G Keitner, C B Qualls

    Archives of General Psychiatry
    |February 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Mechanisms underlying the efficacy of a rodent model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy - A focus on energy expenditure.

    Molecular metabolism·2023
    Same author

    A fibre-coupled UHV-compatible variable angle reflection-absorption UV/visible spectrometer.

    The Review of scientific instruments·2018
    Same author

    Systematic review and meta-analysis: non-invasive detection of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease related fibrosis in the obese.

    Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·2017
    Same author

    Weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric band and resolution of the metabolic syndrome and its components.

    International journal of obesity (2005)·2017
    Same author

    Axis I disorders in adjustable gastric band patients: the relationship between psychopathology and weight loss.

    Obesity surgery·2014
    Same author

    Neural and humoral changes associated with the adjustable gastric band: insights from a rodent model.

    International journal of obesity (2005)·2012

    The 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) often yields abnormal results in psychiatric patients, even healthy individuals. A higher 2-mg DST dose more accurately identifies abnormal pituitary-adrenal activity in patients with elevated urinary cortisol.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroendocrinology
    • Psychiatric diagnostics
    • Hormonal regulation

    Background:

    • The dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is widely used in psychiatric settings.
    • Commonly used DST protocols, particularly the 1-mg dose, frequently produce abnormal results, including in healthy individuals.
    • This raises questions about the test's ability to identify clinically significant alterations in the pituitary-adrenal axis.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the DST in identifying physiologically meaningful increases in pituitary-adrenocortical activity.
    • To compare DST results with baseline urinary cortisol levels in psychiatric inpatients.
    • To determine the optimal DST dosage for detecting pathophysiological changes in adrenal regulation.

    Main Methods:

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Thirty-four psychiatric inpatients participated in the study.
  • Participants underwent a 24-hour urine collection for cortisol level measurement.
  • A DST was administered using either 1 mg or 2 mg of dexamethasone.

    • Main Results:

    • The 1-mg DST did not show significant differences in 24-hour urinary cortisol levels between suppressors and nonsuppressors.
    • The 2-mg DST revealed significantly higher urinary cortisol levels in nonsuppressors compared to suppressors.
    • All nonsuppressors in the 2-mg DST group exhibited urinary cortisol levels exceeding the normal range.

    Conclusions:

    • The standard 1-mg DST may not reliably detect clinically relevant pituitary-adrenal dysregulation in psychiatric patients.
    • The 2-mg DST appears more effective in identifying patients with pathophysiologically significant alterations in adrenal activity.
    • Higher-dose DST protocols may be necessary for accurate assessment of hormonal imbalances in psychiatric diagnostics.