EFFECTS OF HYDROCORTISONE ON BRAIN 5-HT FUNCTION AND SLEEP

The effects of hydrocortisone administration (20 mg, orally, twice dai ly) on the sensitivity of brain 5-HT1A receptors in healthy volunteers were studied using a buspirone challenge paradigm. The effects of hyd rocortisone administration an sleep architecture were also studied. Hy drocortisone treatment significantly attenuated the hypothermic and co rtisol responses to buspirone; however, the prolactin and growth hormo ne responses were unchanged. Hydrocortisone also decreased the amount of rapid eye movement sleep (REM). The ability of hydrocortisone to at tenuate 5-HT1A receptor mediated hypothermia and decrease REM sleep is shared by certain antidepressant treatments and may be related to the effects of corticosteroids on mood.