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Neuroendocrine Challenge Studies in Puerperal Psychoses

Dexamethasone Suppression and TRH Stimulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

E. S. Paykel ,
A. Martin Del Campo ,
W. White  and
R. Horton
E. S. Paykel*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ
A. Martin Del Campo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
W. White
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital
R. Horton
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, London
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

Subjects admitted to hospital with post-partum psychoses were compared with matched normal postpartum controls using two neuroendocrine challenge tests: dexamethasone suppression of Cortisol and TRH stimulation of TSH. Post-dexamethasone Cortisol levels were significantly elevated. There were less-clear hints of blunting of TSH response. In the small samples there was no obvious association of abnormalities with any particular diagnoses within the range of mania, psychotic depression and schizoaffective disorders.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 159 , Issue 2 , August 1991 , pp. 262 - 266
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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