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Changes in a proposed new neuroendocrine marker of oestrogen receptor function in postpartum women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

J. A. Bearn ,
K. M. Fairhall ,
I. C. A. F. Robinson ,
S. L. Lightman  and
S. A. Checkley
J. A. Bearn*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; Division of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, National Institute for Medical Research; Medical Unit, Westminster Hospital, London
K. M. Fairhall
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; Division of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, National Institute for Medical Research; Medical Unit, Westminster Hospital, London
I. C. A. F. Robinson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; Division of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, National Institute for Medical Research; Medical Unit, Westminster Hospital, London
S. L. Lightman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; Division of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, National Institute for Medical Research; Medical Unit, Westminster Hospital, London
S. A. Checkley
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry; Division of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, National Institute for Medical Research; Medical Unit, Westminster Hospital, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr J. A. Beam, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF.
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Synopsis

We describe a novel neuroendocrine test which reflects a central response to activation of oestrogen receptors. This is achieved by measurement of plasma levels of oestrogen-stimulated neurophysin (ESN) following an oestrogen challenge. In normal women the ESN response to ethinyl oestradiol is dose-dependent. This response is attenuated in normal women during the first postpartum month, although it is unchanged in patients with anorexia nervosa, in spite of their similar concurrent hypo-estrogenic state. The altered puerperal response may result from the acute oestrogen withdrawal which occurs at delivery. The time course of the altered ESN response coincides with the period of maximum risk for puerperal psychosis. The ESN response to oestrogen provides a novel neuroendocrine measure to test the relevance of changes in central oestrogen receptor responsiveness in the pathogenesis of puerperal psychosis.

Type
Orginal Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , November 1990 , pp. 779 - 783
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

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