Og. Cameron et al., THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED SYSTEMIC CORTISOL-LEVELS ON PLASMA-CATECHOLAMINES IN CUSHINGS-SYNDROME PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DEPRESSED MOOD, Journal of Psychiatric Research, 29(5), 1995, pp. 347-360
This study explored the effect of elevated systemic cortisol levels on
plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine, and hemodynamic variables, in
patients with active Cushing's syndrome; ratings of depressed mood wer
e also obtained. Norepinephrine levels were significantly negatively c
orrelated with 24 h urinary free cortisol levels. Cushing's patients w
ithout depressed mood showed more robust negative correlations than th
ose with depressed mood. The inverse relationship between norepinephri
ne and cortisol is consistent with data obtained previously in acute s
tudies of normal subjects. Mechanisms which might explain these relati
onships include changes in control of catecholamine production, releas
e, and/or metabolic clearance in Cushing's patients. The decrease in t
he strength of association in depressed Cushing's patients is consiste
nt with prior studies that suggest abnormal relationships between hypo
thalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical activity and noradrenergic function
in major depressive disorder.