High cortisol awakening response is associated with an impairment of the effect of bright light therapy |
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Authors: | K. Martiny M. Lunde M. Undén H. Dam P. Bech |
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Affiliation: | 1. Psychiatric Research Unit, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Hiller?d;2. Psychiatric Specialist Practice, Falkoner Allé, Copenhagen;3. Psychiatric Department, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark |
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Abstract: | Objective: We investigated the predictive validity of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in patients with non‐seasonal major depression. Method: Patients were treated with sertraline in combination with bright or dim light therapy for a 5‐week period. Saliva cortisol levels were measured in 63 patients, as an awakening profile, before medication and light therapy started. The CAR was calculated by using three time‐points: awakening and 20 and 60 min after awakening. Results: Patients with low CAR had a very substantial effect of bright light therapy compared with dim light therapy, whereas patients with a high CAR had no effect of bright light therapy compared with dim light therapy. Conclusion: High CAR was associated with an impairment of the effect of bright light therapy. This result raises the question of whether bright light acts through a mechanism different from that of antidepressants. |
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Keywords: | cortisol saliva major depression light therapy prediction |
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