2006
The Biological Underpinnings of Depression
Korszun A, Altemus M, Young E. The Biological Underpinnings of Depression. 2006, 41-61. DOI: 10.1017/cbo9780511841262.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdrenocorticotropic hormoneDepressive disorderHypothalamic pituitary adrenal axisAnterior pituitary corticotropesPituitary-adrenal axisDevelopment of depressionCases of depressionStress-related conditionsGlucocorticoid feedbackPituitary siteAdrenal axisHPA axisCortisol secretionExaggerated responseAdrenal glucocorticoidsPituitary corticotropesHormonal systemsDepressionGenetic vulnerabilityComplex dynamic equilibriumBiological underpinningsCentral effectorIntroduction StressExtrinsic stressorsLife events
2004
HPA axis activation in major depression and response to fluoxetine: a pilot study
Young E, Altemus M, Lopez J, Kocsis J, Schatzberg A, deBattista C, Zubieta J. HPA axis activation in major depression and response to fluoxetine: a pilot study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2004, 29: 1198-1204. PMID: 15219644, DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2004.02.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHPA axis activationMetyrapone challengeOnset of treatmentAxis activationMajor depressionHPA axisHamilton Depression Rating Scale ratingsOpen-label treatmentHPA axis dysregulationAdrenal axis activationPremenopausal womenLabel treatmentACTH levelsHormonal contraceptivesMedical illnessACTH secretionAxis dysregulationNormal womenDepressed patientsFluoxetine respondersDepressed womenNormal subjectsAxis IGreater severityFluoxetinePuberty, Ovarian Steroids, and Stress
YOUNG E, ALTEMUS M. Puberty, Ovarian Steroids, and Stress. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2004, 1021: 124-133. PMID: 15251881, DOI: 10.1196/annals.1308.013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStressful life eventsMajor depressionDepressed womenPostmenopausal depressed womenReproductive hormonal changesLife eventsNormal progesteronePremenopausal womenCommon etiologyOvarian hormonesOvarian steroidsHPA axisAdrenal axisNormal womenLow estradiolFirst episodeDepressed menHormonal changesBaseline cortisolEstradiolInhibitory feedbackPubertyYoung adulthoodWomenDepression
2003
Differential Menstrual Cycle Regulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Controls
Roca C, Schmidt P, Altemus M, Deuster P, Danaceau M, Putnam K, Rubinow D. Differential Menstrual Cycle Regulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Controls. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2003, 88: 3057-3063. PMID: 12843143, DOI: 10.1210/jc.2002-021570.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHPA axis responsePremenstrual syndromeAdrenal axisControl womenMajor depressionLuteal phaseReproductive steroidsAxis responseTreadmill exercise stress testingHPA axis modulationMenstrual cycle regulationHPA axis abnormalitiesExercise stress testingHPA axis regulationStress testingMenstrual cycle phaseAxis abnormalitiesHPA axisMenstrual cycleGonadal steroidsAbnormal responseAxis regulationAffective disordersAffective symptomsPotent modulator
2001
Increased Vasopressin and Adrenocorticotropin Responses to Stress in the Midluteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle
Altemus M, Roca C, Galliven E, Romanos C, Deuster P. Increased Vasopressin and Adrenocorticotropin Responses to Stress in the Midluteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2001, 86: 2525-2530. PMID: 11397850, DOI: 10.1210/jcem.86.6.7596.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly follicular phaseMaximal oxygen consumptionMidluteal phaseMenstrual cycleFollicular phaseGonadal steroidsNatural menstrual cycleMin of exerciseHPA axis responsivityGonadal steroid levelsPathophysiology of anxietyAdrenocorticotropin responseHealthy womenEstrogen levelsHPA axisAdrenal axisExercise stressSteroid levelsCortisol levelsExercise intensityPlasma lactateHormonal responsesVasopressinProvide protectionACTHLymphocyte responses to stress in postpartum women: relationship to vagal tone
Redwine L, Altemus M, Leong Y, Carter C. Lymphocyte responses to stress in postpartum women: relationship to vagal tone. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2001, 26: 241-251. PMID: 11166487, DOI: 10.1016/s0306-4530(00)00049-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPoke-weed mitogenLymphocyte responsesLymphocyte proliferationVagal toneImmune responseNon-postpartum womenCellular immune responsesLymphocyte proliferation responseCardiac vagal toneBlood pressureHPA axisPostpartum womenFollicular phaseParturient womenVagal systemHeart rateProliferation responseEndocrine measuresWeed mitogenStress-induced changesPhytohemagglutininWomenAutonomic measuresBottlefeedingRegression analysis
1996
Naloxone-Induced Pituitary-Adrenal Activation Does Not Differ in Patients with Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Healthy Controls
Michelson D, Altemus M, Galliven E, Hill L, Greenberg B, Gold P. Naloxone-Induced Pituitary-Adrenal Activation Does Not Differ in Patients with Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Healthy Controls. Neuropsychopharmacology 1996, 15: 207-212. PMID: 8840357, DOI: 10.1016/0893-133x(95)00210-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic CRH neuronsAdrenocorticotropic hormoneCRH neuronsCortisol secretionElevated urinary free cortisolHypothalamic CRH releaseUrinary free cortisolOpiate antagonist naloxoneEvidence of dysregulationPituitary-adrenal activationAdrenal studiesCRH releaseHormone neuronsAntagonist naloxoneHPA axisObsessive-compulsive disorderDepressed patientsHealthy controlsHypothalamic corticotropinRandomized fashionCentral stimulantsNaloxoneSeparate daysPatientsPsychiatric controls