Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is the most important cause of the adrenogenital syndrome in infancy and childhood. It is a classic example of an 'inborn error of metabolism' and represents the clinical expression of a hereditary defect in the biosynthesis of cortisol. Studies on patients with this disorder have enriched our knowledge on the biosynthesis and metabolism of adrenocortical st...

AIMS 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can affect both neurotransmitter and neurohormonal activity. This review will debate the role of the metabolic activation hormone cortisol for the psychobiological effects of ecstasy/MDMA. METHODS The empirical literature on cortisol release following acute MDMA administration and cortisol functioning in drug-free recreational ecstasy/MDMA users w...

Effects of o,p'-DDD on parameters of cortisol metabolism were studied in 3 patients with Cushing's syndrome (ectopic ACTH-syndrome, Cushing's disease, and adrenal cancer). Before o,p'-DDD treatment, plasma cortisol, urinary 17OHCS, and urinary free cortisol were elevated in all patients. These parameters correlated well with each other in ectopic ACTH-syndrome and Cushing's disease. However, in...

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is the most important cause of the adrenogenital syndrome in infancy and childhood. It is a classic example of an 'inborn error of metabolism' and represents the clinical expression of a hereditary defect in the biosynthesis of cortisol. Studies on patients with this disorder have enriched our knowledge on the biosynthesis and metabolism of adrenocortical st...

Plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin), tryptophan, neopterin and cortisol levels were measured in patients with depressive cancer cachexia and in healthy controls during the same time period. Patients with advanced cancers had significantly raised neopterin, a marker of endogenous gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) production, and cortisol values, but decreased serotonin and tryptophan levels. Much ...