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Clonidine Challenge of Cortisol Secretion in Dementia and Geriatric Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2005

Bodo R. Vollhardt
Affiliation:
Cornell University Medical College, New York Hospital, Westchester Division, White Plains, New York Department of Gerontopsychiatry, Rheinische Landesklinik Köln, Federal Republic of Germany
George S. Alexopoulos
Affiliation:
Cornell University Medical College, Westchester Division, New York Hospital, White Plains, New York
Robert C. Young
Affiliation:
Cornell University Medical College, Westchester Division, New York Hospital, White Plains, New York
Jacob Kream
Affiliation:
Cornell University Medical College, Westchester Division, New York Hospital, White Plains, New York
Charles A. Shamoian
Affiliation:
Cornell University Medical College, Westchester Division, New York Hospital, White Plains, New York
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Abstract

The effect of oral clonidine challenge on cortisol secretion was evaluated in seven patients with primary degenerative dementia and in seven patients with major depression. Postclonidine cortisol levels were decreased in all depressed patients and in demented patients with hypercortisolemia at baseline. Demented patients with normal cortisol levels at baseline developed increased post-clonidine cortisol levels. These preliminary findings suggest differences in noradrenergic regulation of cortisol secretion among patients with primary degenerative dementia.

Type
Research and Reviews
Copyright
© 1989 Springer Publishing Company

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