Nelson Vergel
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Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018 Dec;235(12):3415-3422. doi: 10.1007/s00213-018-5050-1. Epub 2018 Oct 3.
The effects of six-day SSRI administration on diurnal cortisol secretion in healthy volunteers
Ronaldson A1, Carvalho LA2, Kostich K3, Lazzarino AI3, Urbanova L3, Steptoe A3.
Abstract
RATIONALE:
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been widely reported in depression, and evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might exert their therapeutic effects through altering cortisol secretion.
OBJECTIVE:
This study assessed the effects of SSRI administration on diurnal cortisol secretion in healthy volunteers.
METHODS:
Sixty-four healthy men and women were randomised to receive either 10 mg escitalopram or placebo for six days in a double-blind fashion. On day six of medication, saliva samples were obtained at home for measurement of diurnal cortisol parameters (cortisol slope, cortisol awakening response, total daily cortisol output).
RESULTS:
Women receiving escitalopram had significantly steeper cortisol slopes across the day compared with those receiving placebo (F(1, 36) = 7.54, p = 0.009). This alteration in cortisol slope was driven by increases in waking cortisol levels (F(1, 35) = 9.21, p = 0.005). Escitalopram did not have any significant effect on the cortisol awakening response or the total daily cortisol output.
CONCLUSIONS:
Flattened cortisol slopes have been seen in depression. The results of this study suggest that escitalopram might exert its therapeutic effect in women in part through correction of a flattened diurnal cortisol rhythm.
KEYWORDS:
Antidepressants; Cortisol; Depression; Escitalopram; HPA axis; SSRIs
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018 Dec;235(12):3415-3422. doi: 10.1007/s00213-018-5050-1. Epub 2018 Oct 3.
The effects of six-day SSRI administration on diurnal cortisol secretion in healthy volunteers
Ronaldson A1, Carvalho LA2, Kostich K3, Lazzarino AI3, Urbanova L3, Steptoe A3.
Abstract
RATIONALE:
Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been widely reported in depression, and evidence suggests that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might exert their therapeutic effects through altering cortisol secretion.
OBJECTIVE:
This study assessed the effects of SSRI administration on diurnal cortisol secretion in healthy volunteers.
METHODS:
Sixty-four healthy men and women were randomised to receive either 10 mg escitalopram or placebo for six days in a double-blind fashion. On day six of medication, saliva samples were obtained at home for measurement of diurnal cortisol parameters (cortisol slope, cortisol awakening response, total daily cortisol output).
RESULTS:
Women receiving escitalopram had significantly steeper cortisol slopes across the day compared with those receiving placebo (F(1, 36) = 7.54, p = 0.009). This alteration in cortisol slope was driven by increases in waking cortisol levels (F(1, 35) = 9.21, p = 0.005). Escitalopram did not have any significant effect on the cortisol awakening response or the total daily cortisol output.
CONCLUSIONS:
Flattened cortisol slopes have been seen in depression. The results of this study suggest that escitalopram might exert its therapeutic effect in women in part through correction of a flattened diurnal cortisol rhythm.
KEYWORDS:
Antidepressants; Cortisol; Depression; Escitalopram; HPA axis; SSRIs
