Glucocorticoid receptors in depression: relationship to the dexamethasone suppression test

Cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor content wa quantitated in lymphocytes from unmedicated depressed patients and control subjects before and after a standardized dexamethasone suppression test. Depressed patients (N = 11) had significantly lower (32%) basal cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor content than the control group (N = 14). Suppression of serum cortisol (5.0 micrograms/dl or less) in both control and depressed subjects (N = 16) following dexamethasone (1 mg) was associated with a decrease in lymphocyte cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor number, whereas no such change occurred in cortisol nonsuppressors (N = 9). Changes in receptor concentration were positively correlated with postdexamethasone serum cortisol levels and with the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation.