Cited by 80Bipolar Disorder and TreatmentMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumStress Responses and Cortisol

Increased neuroactive steroid concentrations in women with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder

Hardoy, Maria Carolina, Serra, Mariangela, Carta, Mauro Giovanni, Contu, Paolo, Pisu, Maria Giuseppina, Biggio, Giovanni·2006·Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Changes in the plasma concentrations of neuroactive steroids have been associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the possible role of neuroactive steroids in bipolar disorder (BD) has remained unknown. We therefore determined the plasma levels of neuroactive steroids during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in women with BD or major depressive disorder (MDD). The plasma concentrations of 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THPROG), 3alpha,21-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one, progesterone, and cortisol were determined in 17 outpatients with BD, 14 outpatients with MDD, and 16 healthy control subjects. All patients were in a state of well-being and without relapse or recurrence for at least 3 months. Plasma concentrations of progesterone and 3alpha,5alpha-THPROG were significantly greater in patients than in controls, also being higher in BD patients than in MDD patients. Drug-free patients with BD or MDD showed similar differences in steroid concentrations relative to controls, as did drug-treated patients. Comorbidity with panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or eating disorder had no effect on the association of mood disorders with steroid concentrations. Women with BD or MDD in a state of well-being showed higher plasma concentrations of progesterone and 3alpha,5alpha-THPROG in the luteal phase than did healthy controls. These differences did not seem to be attributable simply to drug treatment or to comorbidity with other psychiatric conditions in the patients.

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Crossref · 10.1097/01.jcp.0000229483.52955.ec

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Authors
Hardoy, M. C., Serra, M., Carta, M. G., Contu, P., Pisu, M. G., & Biggio, G.
Affiliations
University of Cagliari (IT)
Corresponding author
  • Hardoy, Maria Carolina
  • Carta, Mauro Giovanni
  • Contu, Paolo
Venue
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Published
2006-08
Volume
26
Issue
4
Pages
379-384
ISSN
0271-0749 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2001174135
Cited by
80
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 7
FWCI
1.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UNICA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Cagliari) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
neurosteroids, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, progesterone, cortisol, luteal phase, menstrual cycle, women, plasma steroid levels, mood disorders
MeSH terms
Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Desoxycorticosterone, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Pregnanolone, Premenstrual Syndrome, Progesterone, Radioimmunoassay, Steroids, Case-Control Studies, Premenopause, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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