Plasma II-Hydroxycorticosteroids in Affective Disorders
B. W. L. BROOKSBANK B.Sc., Ph.D.1 and
ALEC COPPEN M.D., D.P.M.1
1 Medical Research Council Neuropsychiatric Research Unit, Carshalton, and Greenbank, West Park Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
The concentration of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS) has been measured by a fluorimetric method in morning and evening plasma samples obtained at intervals from patients during treatment in hospital for severe depression and mania. In 29 patients suffering from depression the mean 8.0 a.m. plasma 11-OHCS concentration fell from 20.0±1.2 µg. per 100 ml. on samples obtained about one week after admission to hospital, to 17.9±1.1 µg. per 100 ml. in those obtained just before discharge. This was not a statistically significant difference. The "endogenous" subgroup of 14 of these patients showed a greater (though still not significant) decrease in morning plasma 11-OHCS on recovery, but the "reactive and mixed" subgroup of 15 patients showed virtually no change in their mean morning plasma 11-OHCS. The evening (9.0 p.m.) plasma 11-OHCS for all depressive patients (17 tested) fell significantly from a mean of 13.5±1.4 to 8.6±1.0 µg. per 100 ml. during the same period. The relationship between plasma 11-OHCS and clinical state was not a close one for morning samples, but was significant for the evening steroid values. The morning concentration of plasma 11-OHCS was normal in 8 patients with mania. The implications of these data and the possible role of adrenocortical function in affective illness is discussed.
Submitted on July 25, 1966
