Elevated CSF corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations in posttraumatic stress disorder

J. Douglas Bremner, Julio Licinio, Adam Darnell, John H. Krystal, Michael J. Owens, Steven M. Southwick, Charles B. Nemeroff, Dennis S. Charney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

634 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and somatostatin both play important roles in mediating responses to acute and chronic stress. The purpose of this study was to measure CSF concentrations of CRF and somatostatin in patients with chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comparison subjects. Method: Lumbar punctures for collection of CSF were performed in Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD (N= 11) and comparison subjects (N= 17). CSF concentrations of CRF and somatostatin were compared between the two groups. Results: CSF concentrations of CRF were higher in the PTSD patients than in the comparison subjects (mean=29.0 pg/ml, SD=7.8, versus mean=21.9 pg/ml, SD=6.0). This group difference remained significant after covariance for age. CSF somatostatin concentrations in PTSD patients were higher than those of the comparison subjects (mean=19.9 pg/ml, SD=5.4, versus mean= 13.7 pg/ml, SD=8.0). However, covarying for age reduced the level of significance. Conclusions: Higher CSF CRF concentrations in patients with PTSD may reflect alterations in stress-related neurotransmitter systems. The higher CSF CRF concentrations may play a role in disturbances of arousal in patients with PTSD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)624-629
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry
Volume154
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1997

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