Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHOD: Serum concentrations of cortisol and DHEA(S)were examined in 43 schizophrenia inpatients and in 20 age matched healthy controls at baseline, and after 2 and 4 weeks. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were used as independent variables for multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Despite clinical improvement during the study period cortisol/ DHEA(S) molar ratios were found persistently elevated as compared to healthy controls. Multiple regression analysis revealed that across three examinations cortisol/ DHEA(S) molar ratios negatively associated with trait-anxiety (partial R(2)=7-14%) rather than with negative symptoms (partial R(2)=3-6%). Age and age of onset account for 12.7% for variability of cortisol/DHEAS ratio. Serum cortisol concentrations are predicted by trait and state-anxiety, activation symptoms and daily doses of antipsychotics. A small portion of variability in serum DHEA levels (R(2)=9%) is associated with symptom severity, while DHEAS levels were predicted by age at examination and age of onset. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum cortisol/ DHEA(S) molar ratios were attributed to trait-anxiety and age rather than to clinical symptoms. The findings may indicate persistent dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that is independent of the patients' clinical state.
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Authors | Michael Ritsner, Anatoly Gibel, Rachel Maayan, Yael Ratner, Eduard Ram, Ilan Modai, Abraham Weizman |
Journal | European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
(Eur Neuropsychopharmacol)
Vol. 17
Issue 4
Pg. 257-64
(Mar 2007)
ISSN: 0924-977X [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 17107774
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
- Hydrocortisone
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Topics |
- Adult
- Analysis of Variance
- Anxiety
(blood, etiology)
- Case-Control Studies
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
(blood)
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
(blood)
- Female
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone
(blood)
- Male
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Schizophrenia
(blood, complications)
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