THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED SYSTEMIC CORTISOL-LEVELS ON PLASMA-CATECHOLAMINES IN CUSHINGS-SYNDROME PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DEPRESSED MOOD

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.