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Many reports have documented abnormal growth hormone secretion in patients with depression. This study compared nocturnal growth hormone secretion in ten men with major depression and eight normal controls. Blood samples were collected through a continuous blood withdrawal pump while subjects slept throughout the night, thus removing any confound of repeated sampling.
The mean age of the depressed patients and controls was similar (41 vs. 38 years). Patients had HAM-D scores ranging from 22 to 47, indicating severe depression. Six depressed patients and all controls were drug-free. The four drug-treated depressed patients received small fixed doses of benzodiazepines. Depressed patients underwent the dexamethasone supression test (DST) and a…