THE 24-HOUR PROFILES OF CORTISOL, PROLACTIN, AND GROWTH-HORMONE SECRETION IN MANIA

Objective: To characterize sleep and the 24-hour profiles of cortisol, prolactin (PRL), and growth hormone (GH) secretion in mania. Methods: Blood was sampled at 15-minute intervals, and sleep was polygraphical ly recorded in eight unmedicated male patients with pure mania and the results compared with those from a group of 14 healthy age-matched co ntrols. The circadian, sleep-related, and pulsatile hormonal variation s were quantitatively characterized using specially designed computer algorithms. Results: The manic state was associated with alterations o f corticotropic activity and circadian rhythmicity partially overlappi ng those previously observed in acute endogenous depression, consistin g of an elevation of nocturnal cortisol levels and an early timing of the nadir of the circadian variation. Sleep onset was delayed and the sleep period was reduced. A trend for short rapid eye movement latenci es was apparent in the adult patients. Both the amount and the tempora l organization of PRL and GH secretion were normal. Conclusion: The ma nic state seems to be characterized by similar but less severe neuroen docrine and circadian abnormalities, compared with major depression.