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The Nyctohemeral Rhythm of Plasma Cortisol in Mental Illness in Nigerians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

B. Kwaku Adadevoh
Affiliation:
Endocrine-Metabolic Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Western State of Nigeria
Tolani Asuni
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, and Aro Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta, Western State of Nigeria

Extract

Reports on adrenocortical function in mental illness have been conflicting, and there has been a failure to replicate results, especially with plasma Cortisol measurements (Gibbons, 1968; Segraves, 1970; and Franzen, 1971). Also, the study of particular diagnostic categories of patients appears to introduce a sampling bias, whilst isolated measurements usually fail to assess hypothalamo-pituitaryadrenal function. We have therefore undertaken a blind assessment study of the nyctohemeral rhythm of plasma Cortisol in Nigerian inmates of the Aro Neuropsychiatric Hospital and Lantoro Institution in Abeokuta, which operate respectively as open and closed treatment centres (Asuni, 1967).

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1973 

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References

Adadevoh, B. K. (1968). ‘Adrenocortical activity of the African.’ Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 71, 259–63.Google Scholar
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Segraves, R. T. (1970). “Personality, Body Pbuild and adreno-cortical activity.” British Journal of Psychiatry, 117, 405–11.Google Scholar
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