CIRCADIAN-RHYTHMS OF MELATONIN, CORTISOL AND PROLACTIN IN PATIENTS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Plasma melatonin, cortisol and prolactin (PRL) levels were measured ov er a 24-h period in 13 drug-free patients with obsessive-compulsive di sorder and in matched healthy subjects. The circadian profiles of mela tonin and PRL were altered in patients; the circadian rhythm of cortis ol was preserved, although at a higher level compared with normal cont rols. These changes were significantly related to the severity of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Further studies need to clarify the sta te- or trait-dependent character of these abnormalities.