Project Summary

Royce Lee, M.D. (Young Investigator 2006) of the University of Chicago, will study the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on measures of information processing known to be abnormal in depression. CRH has been found to play a role in the neurobiology of depression and anxiety. Preclinical studies reveal its neurotransmitter-like function in the prefrontal cortex and amygdale. Human studies have been limited by the inaccessibility of these receptors to oral or intravenous dosing due to the blood-brain barrier. This inaccessibility will also probably limit putative receptor antagonists. Intranasal peptide formulation may provide a direct route to the brain for CRH. This project will test intranasal CRH challenge vs. placebo in 20 nondepressed subjects with a lifetime history of depression and 20 healthy controls without history of major depression. They will undergo a double-blind, placebo-crossover challenge with intranasal CRH on two nonconsecutive study days. Behavioral tests will then be performed. Results from this pilot study will be used to estimate effect size in the two groups and collect preliminary pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar

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