Relationship of cognitive factors to CSF corticotropin-releasing hormone in depression

Article Abstract:

Up to 60 percent of depressed patients have been found to have an imbalance in the hormonal regulation in the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal system. Recent studies have suggested that excessive secretion of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus may be the primary dysfunction in this cycle observed with depression. The cognitive theory of depression is that it originates in negative beliefs about oneself, the world, and the future. This study was done to evaluate correlations between cognition and CRH levels. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained from 17 depressed patients who were also given the Beck Depression Inventory, which elicits information about pessimism, sense of failure, guilt, expectation of punishment, self-dislike, self-accusation, suicidal wishes, sadness and crying. No significant correlations were found between CRH levels in the CSF and total scores on the Beck inventory. Two items, self-accusation and crying, were related to decreased CRH levels, but independently of each other. The authors suggest that the biological and cognitive factors in depression possibly interact and should be studied further, both during and after recovery from depression. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Corticotropin releasing hormone, Corticotropin-releasing hormone

---

Panic response to lactate administration in alcoholic and nonalcoholic patients with panic disorder

Article Abstract:

Although there is a recognized relationship between alcoholism and panic disorder, which is characterized by severe attacks of panic and anxiety, it has not been established whether patients who have panic attacks use alcohol to alleviate the anxiety, or conversely (and more likely), whether the alcoholism itself is in some way responsible for inducing the panic disorder. To test whether biochemical reactions accompanying panic attacks in alcoholics differed from those in nonalcoholics, a group of 12 abstinent alcoholics with panic disorder, 10 nonalcoholics with panic disorder, and 8 control subjects was given sodium lactate, an agent known to induce panic attacks. The alcoholic patients unexpectedly had fewer panic attacks than the nonalcoholics. No differences in baseline anxiety or blood chemistry could be found to account for the difference. The authors suggest there may be groups of patients with a psychobiological variant of panic disorder. Additional studies are recommended.

Psychological aspects, Causes of, Alcohol, Ethanol, Alcoholics, Panic disorders, Panic disorder, Sodium compounds

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Children's appraisals of interparental conflict: Situational and contextual influences. Interparental conflict and adolescent dating relationships: integrating cognitive, emotional, and peer influences
• Abstracts: Significant individuals in adolescence: adolescent and adult perspectives. Comparing adolescents' considerations for self-referral and counselors' perceptions of these considerations: an exploratory study
• Abstracts: Adult vulnerability for psychiatric disorders: interactive effects of negative childhood experiences and recent stress
• Abstracts: Cocaine abuse among schizophrenic patients. Drug abuse in schizophrenic patients: clinical correlates and reasons for use
• Abstracts: Time-related predictors of suicide in major affective disorder. Gender differences in the clinical features of unipolar major depressive disorder

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.