Symptomatology and cognitive impairment associate independently with post-dexamethasone cortisol concentrations in unmedicated schizophrenic patients

John W. Newcomer*, William O. Faustman, Harvey A. Whiteford, James A. Moses, John G. Csernansky

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Serum cortisol concentrations were measured after dexamethasone administration (1 mg) in 21 neuroleptic-free schizophrenic inpatients. Patients were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and a battery of cognitive tests. A significant correlation was found between negative symptoms and both 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM post-dexamethasone cortisol concentration (PDC). Cognitive impairment on several measures was also correlated with 8 AM PDC, but in an independent manner. Although positive and negative symptoms were unrelated, exploratory analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between a positive symptom grouping and both 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM PDC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)855-864
Number of pages10
JournalBiological psychiatry
Volume29
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biological Psychiatry

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