Study Report
Reference
Citation | Buckley, 2010 PubMed |
Full Info | Buckley, T.M. and Schatzberg, A.F. (2010) A pilot study of the phase angle between cortisol and melatonin in major depression - a potential biomarker? J Psychiatr Res, 44, 69-74.
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Study
Hypothesis or Background |
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and melatonin rhythm alterations have been independently reported in major depression (MDD) as well as in insomnia. In this pilot study, we link cortisol and melatonin rhythms and propose that the phase angle between cortisol acrophase (CA) and dim-light melatonin onset (20 pg/ml) (DLMO-20) may yield a useful state specific biomarker for MDD.
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Sample Information | Six healthy (HC) and six depressed (MDD) psychotropic free subjects were admitted to the General Clinical Research Center. |
Method Detail | Blood was sampled for cortisol and melatonin from 1600h to 1000h, under dim lights (<20lux) and constant routine. Time for DLMO-20 and peak cortisol concentration was determined for each subject. Phase angle was computed as the difference in time between CA and DLMO-20. |
Method Keywords | blood analysis |
Result | Phase angle was significantly increased in MDD's versus HC's (13.40+/-1.61h. versus 11.61+/-1.66h, p=0.026). Using ROC analysis, a phase angle greater than 13.57h distinguished MDD's from HC's (sensitivity=0.83, specificity=1.0). Mean nocturnal melatonin (1600-1000h) was significantly decreased in MDD's versus HC's (22.67+/-9.08 pg/ml versus 47.82+/-14.76 pg/ml, p=0.015). |
Conclusions | The phase angle between CA and DLMO-20 appears to distinguish HC's from MDD's and may be a useful biomarker to aid biologic assessment as well as treatment. Lower nocturnal melatonin in MDD's highlights its importance in MDD's pathophysiology. Additional study with larger sample size is needed to confirm the results of this pilot study. The mechanism for this phase angle difference and decreased melatonin, itself, requires further study. |
Relationships reported by
Buckley, 2010
Component A Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component A Type |
Component B Approved Name (Name in Paper) |
Component B Type |
Statistical Result |
Relationship Description |
Result Category (Positive/Negative)) |
MDD
|
syndrome |
Hydrocortisone (cortisol) |
molecule |
P-value=0.026 |
Phase angle (phase angle between cortisol acrophase and dim-light melatonin onset) was significantly increased in MDD's versus healthy controls (13.40+/-1.61h. versus 11.61+/-1.66h, p=0.026). |
Positive
|
MDD
|
syndrome |
Melatonin (melatonin) |
molecule |
|
Phase angle (phase angle between cortisol acrophase and dim-light melatonin onset) was significantly increased in MDD's versus healthy controls (13.40+/-1.61h. versus 11.61+/-1.66h, p=0.026). |
Positive
|