Dexamethasone Suppression Test

Kudielka, Brigitte M.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_11-2

Brigitte M. Kudielka³

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Synonyms

Dex suppression test; Dex test; DST; HPA axis negative feedback testing

Definition

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid and acts as a ligand of glucocorticoid receptors. The principle of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) is based on this binding capability. Via receptor binding, dexamethasone exerts a negative feedback function on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (de Kloet et al. 1998). The HPA axis is a hierarchical hormonal system encompassing the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal cortex with their respective hormones CRH, ACTH, and cortisol. Beside its role in stress regulation, the HPA axis is vital for supporting normal physiological functioning. Its functioning is controlled by several negative feedback loops. Generally, the DST is applied as a standard diagnostic tool to assess feedback sensitivity of the HPA axis in clinical settings (e.g., in major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, etc.) as well as in...

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References and Further Reading

Bellingrath, S., Weigl, T., & Kudielka, B. M. (2008). Cortisol dysregulation in school teachers in relation to burnout, vital exhaustion, and effort-reward-imbalance. Biological Psychology, 78(1), 104–113.
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Cole, M. A., Kim, P. J., Kalman, B. A., & Spencer, R. L. (2000). Dexamethasone suppression of corticosteroid secretion: Evaluation of the site of action by receptor measures and functional studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 25(2), 151–167.
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de Kloet, E. R., Vreugdenhil, E., Oitzl, M. S., & Joels, M. (1998). Brain corticosteroid receptor balance in health and disease. Endocrine Reviews, 19(3), 269–301.
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Heuser, I., Yassouridis, A., & Holsboer, F. (1994). The combined dexamethasone/CRH test: A refined laboratory test for psychiatric disorders. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 28(4), 341–356.
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Yehuda, R., Southwick, S. M., Krystal, J. H., Bremner, D., Charney, D. S., & Mason, J. W. (1993). Enhanced suppression of cortisol following dexamethasone administration in posttraumatic stress disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 150(1), 83–86.
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Authors and Affiliations

Department of Medical Psychology, Psychological Diagnostics and Research Methodology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstrasse 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
Brigitte M. Kudielka

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Brigitte M. Kudielka
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Correspondence to Brigitte M. Kudielka .

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Editors and Affiliations

University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
Marc Gellman
Campbell University School of Pharmacy, Buies Creek, North Carolina, USA
J. Rick Turner

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Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstrasse 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
Urs M. Nater

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Kudielka, B.M. (2017). Dexamethasone Suppression Test. In: Gellman, M., Turner, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_11-2

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_11-2
Received: 10 December 2015
Accepted: 21 February 2017
Published: 14 March 2017
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6
eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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