The elevation of plasma beta-endorphin levels in major depression.

Journal article

Day-time plasma beta-endorphin/beta-lipotrophic hormone (beta-ENDO/beta-LPH), ACTH and cortisol have been determined in 26 patients with major depression and 25 controls. beta-ENDO/beta-LPH and cortisol were significantly elevated in patients, while ACTH was not. Cortisol levels were significantly negatively correlated with age in controls as were beta-ENDO/beta-LPH and ACTH. In patients, by contrast, cortisol levels were positively, albeit not significantly, related to age. Peptide levels were not related to age in the patient group. Instead, beta-ENDO/beta-LPH was negatively correlated with clinical ratings of symptom severity in patients and positively associated with an acute psychosocial precipitant. The findings cast further light on beta-ENDO/beta-LPH as a measure of hypothalamic-pituitary over activity in depressive illness. A negative association with symptom severity suggests that beta-ENDO/beta-LPH responses are, like those of ACTH, down-regulated in the course of depressive illness.

Authors: Goodwin, G; Austin, M; Curran, S; Ross, M; Murray, C

• Journal: Journal of affective disorders
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 281-289
• Publication date: 1993-12-01
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-0327(93)90018-f
• EISSN: 1573-2517
• ISSN: 0165-0327
• Language: English
• Keywords: Pituitary-Adrenal System; Middle Aged; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Aged; Depressive Disorder; Humans; Adult; Personality Inventory; beta-Lipotropin; Female; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; beta-Endorphin; Hydrocortisone; Male