Project Summary

Carmine M. Pariante, M.D., MRCPsych (Young Investigator 2003) of Institute of Psychiatry, will study the hormone cortisol, which when elevated, has been consistently implicated in patients with major depression.  Antidepressant medications may regulate the function of cortisol.  In a laboratory setting, Dr. Pariante will test the sensitivity of cortisol secretion to the administration of a synthetic hormone (prednisolone) in depressed patients. Usually, the administration of hormones like prednisolone leads to a reduction of cortisol secretions.  However, this may not occur in patients with major depression.  By studying the responses of cortisol to synthetic hormones in depressed patients and normal controls, Dr. Pariante hopes to be able to expand our understanding of the biological mechanism behind the elevated cortisol levels of these patients, and ultimately, the underlying causes of major depression.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Depression (Unipolar)

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