The British Journal of Psychiatry (1966) 112: 1257-1261. doi: 10.1192/bjp.112.493.1257
© 1966 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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The Diurnal Rhythm of Plasma Cortisol Concentration in Depression

P. K. BRIDGES M.D., D.P.M.1 and M. T. JONES M.B., B.S., Ph.D.2

1 First Assistant, Department of Psychological Medicine, The Royal Free Hospital, London, W.C.1.
2 Lecturer, Sherrington School of Physiology, St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School, London, S.E.1

The diurnal rhythm of plasma cortisol concentration has been studied in patients suffering from endogenous depression by estimations at 0930 hrs., 1330 hrs. and 2130 hrs. The results have been compared with values obtained in the same patients on recovery and with those of a control group of surgical patients.

During depression the patients showed high morning plasma cortisol levels, which fell on recovery. There was a significant reduction in the degree of diurnal variation of plasma cortisol concentration of the depressed patients on recovery. This could relate to a morning exacerbation of the abnormal mood during the illness.

The controls showed a degree of diurnal variation which was significantly less than that of the patients when depressed, although similar to that of the patients on recovery. But the absolute plasma cortisol levels of the controls were significantly higher than those of the recovered patients, and reasons for this are suggested.

Submitted on March 31, 1966




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