Abstract

A morphine infusion paradigm was used to investigate opioid mechanisms in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in depression. The subjects were unmedicated psychiatric inpatients and healthy volunteers. Morphine suppressed cortisol secretion. Early resumption of cortisol secretion was associated with a diagnosis of major depression and abnormal dexamethasone suppression test results. Our data suggest that the hyperactivity of the HPA axis observed in depression is abnormally resistant to opioid inhibition as well as glucocorticoid feedback.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.