The dexamethasone suppression test as a predictor of antidepressant response

Abstract

There is some evidence to suggest that dexamethasone suppression test (DST) results obtained prior to treatment for depression might aid in selecting the proper type of antidepressant medication. Forty endogenously depressed outpatients were evaluated with the DST and 12 (30%) were identified as nonsuppressors. All patients were then treated with desipramine (150–350 mg/day). Plasma concentrations of desipramine were monitored to assure that therapeutic levels were achieved. At 5 weeks of treatment, patients were characterized as treatment responders or nonresponders on the basis of change in Hamilton Depression Scale scores.