EFFECT OF FLUOXETINE ON DEXAMETHASONE-INDUCED GROWTH-HORMONE RELEASE IN DEPRESSION - A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY

Objective: The authors' objective was to characterize the effects of f luoxetine treatment on dexamethasone-induced growth hormone (GH) respo nses in depressed patients. Method: Twelve patients (six women and six men) with major depression diagnosed according to DSM-III-R underwent dexamethasone-induced GH stimulation before and after random assignme nt to 4 weeks of treatment with either placebo (N=6) or fluoxetine (N= 6). Results: All six patients treated with fluoxetine and two of the s ix patients given placebo demonstrated an increase in their dexamethas one-induced GH responses. Conclusions: Clinical recovery was associate d with an increase in GH release in response to dexamethasone.