THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CORTISOL SUPPRESSION TEST AND THE DEXAMETHASONE SUPPRESSION TEST IN DEPRESSION

Studies using the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in depression s howed rapid elimination of dexamethasone in association with non-suppr ession. To circumvent this phenomenon, cortisol was used as the suppre ssing agent (CST). Cortisol and prolactin levels were estimated after both DST and CST had been done in series in a group of depressive pati ents and normal subjects. Results of the DST were generally consistent with those obtained with other investigations showing greater non-sup pression of cortisol in depressive patients than in normal subjects. C ortisol responses, however, were not suppressed after CST, and similar values were obtained in depressive patients and normal subjects. The prolactin response to CST was significantly greater in depressive pati ents than in normal subjects.