Effects of hydrocortisone on brain 5-HT function and sleep

J Affect Disord. 1994 Oct;32(2):139-46. doi: 10.1016/0165-0327(94)90072-8.

Abstract

The effects of hydrocortisone administration (20 mg, orally, twice daily) on the sensitivity of brain 5-HT1A receptors in healthy volunteers were studied using a buspirone challenge paradigm. The effects of hydrocortisone administration on sleep architecture were also studied. Hydrocortisone treatment significantly attenuated the hypothermic and cortisol responses to buspirone; however, the prolactin and growth hormone responses were unchanged. Hydrocortisone also decreased the amount of rapid eye movement sleep (REM). The ability of hydrocortisone to attenuate 5-HT1A receptor mediated hypothermia and decrease REM sleep is shared by certain antidepressant treatments and may be related to the effects of corticosteroids on mood.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Affect / drug effects
  • Affect / physiology
  • Body Temperature Regulation / drug effects
  • Body Temperature Regulation / physiology
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / physiology
  • Buspirone / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Growth Hormone / blood
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Hydrocortisone / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Sleep Stages / drug effects*
  • Sleep Stages / physiology
  • Sleep, REM / drug effects
  • Sleep, REM / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin
  • Prolactin
  • Growth Hormone
  • Buspirone
  • Hydrocortisone