Cortisol Secretion Rate in Depressive Illness

Introduction In a previous study1elevated plasma cortisol levels were found in patients suffering from depressive illness, a finding which confirmed the original observations of Board et al.2,3In a group of 18 cases, in which plasma cortisol was measured at weekly intervals, there was a positive correlation between the height of the plasma level and the severity of the depression. It was concluded that increased adrenocortical activity, already well-known as a feature of anxiety,4was also a feature of depression. Since this conclusion was based on a study of only one index of adrenocortical function, further evidence was sought by measuring the secretion rate of cortisol in a second group of depressed patients. Case Material and Methods The investigation was conducted on 15 patients admitted to the metabolic unit of the Maudsley Hospital with a diagnosis of depression. There were five