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Neuroendocrine tests in depressive stroke patients
H Dam1, H E Pedersen, H Dige-Petersen
1Psychiatric Department, Rigshospitalet, Copemhagen, Denmark.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|October 1, 1994
Summary
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation tests showed no significant differences in TSH response between stroke patients and controls, or in relation to depression or lesion laterality.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Stroke is a significant cause of disability.
- Depression is a common comorbidity in stroke patients.
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis may be affected by stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test response in stroke patients.
- To explore the relationship between TRH response, depression, and lesion laterality in stroke.
Main Methods:
- 63 stroke patients and 23 controls underwent TRH stimulation tests.
- Depression was assessed using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Research Diagnostic Criteria.
- Delta Max TSH was measured to assess TRH stimulation response.
- Dexamethasone suppression test (DST) results were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in Delta Max TSH were observed between stroke patients and controls.
- TRH stimulation response did not differ based on lesion laterality (right vs. left hemisphere).
- No correlation was found between blunted TRH response and depression, nor between TRH response and DST suppression status.
Conclusions:
- The TRH stimulation test does not appear to be differentially affected by stroke itself.
- Depression and lesion side do not influence the TRH-TSH response in stroke patients.
- Further research is needed to understand neuroendocrine changes in post-stroke depression.