beta-endorphin and Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder

Abnormalities in plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (beta-endorphin) have been reported in depressed patients. This study was done to test the hypothesis that specific clinical characteristics of depression are associated with plasma beta-endorphin concentration.. Plasma beta-endorphin was evaluated in 20 depressed patients diagnosed according to DSM-III-R and in 23 age- and sex-matched comparison subjects, and each was evaluated with the structured Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS). Twelve SADS items involving dysphoric mood and related symptoms were chosen for analysis.. Within the group of all 43 subjects and within the depressed group, beta-endorphin level correlated significantly with psychic anxiety and with phobia. In the depressed group only, beta-endorphin also correlated significantly with obsessions/compulsions. Concentration of beta-endorphin was not significantly correlated with score on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression or Beck Depression Inventory or with scores on other SADS symptom items, including somatic anxiety, insomnia, subjective anger, overt anger, agitation, psychomotor retardation, panic attacks, appetite loss, or total weight loss. In the group of 23 comparison subjects, beta-endorphin did not correlate with Beck or Hamilton depression score or with any of the SADS clinical variables.. High levels of plasma beta-endorphin may be associated with more severe anxiety, phobia, and obsessions/compulsions in depressed patients.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anger; Anxiety Disorders; beta-Endorphin; Depressive Disorder; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Phobic Disorders; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychomotor Disorders; Severity of Illness Index; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Weight Loss

Basal morning plasma levels of immunoreactive-beta-endorphin (ir-beta-EP), cortisol, and growth hormone (GH) were assessed in 13 obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients in comparison to 20 healthy controls. All subjects were drug free for at least 1 year. The mean plasma level of ir-beta-EP was significantly lower (36%) in the OCD patients when compared with the control subjects. The decrease in ir-beta-EP was not accompanied by alteration in cortisol and GH plasma levels.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; beta-Endorphin; Female; Growth Hormone; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Male; Middle Aged; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Radioimmunoassay; Sex Factors