Vasopressin–neurophysin and DST in major depression: Relationship with suicidal behavior

The purpose of the present study was to assess if AVP-neurophysin is associated with hypercortisolemia and suicidal behaviour in depressed patients. The study included 28 patients subgrouped into suicide attempters (n = 13) and nonattempters (n = 15). We assessed basal AVP-neurophysins concentrations and post-dexamethasone (DST) cortisol levels. Concentrations of AVP-neurophysins did not differ between DST suppressors and nonsuppressors: 0.29 ± 0.13 ng/ml vs 0.36 ± 0.21 ng/ml, (F = 1.1, df = 1, 27, p = 0.30). Suicide attempters did not differ from nonattempters for AVP-neurophysins levels. Our results fail to support a role of AVP in the early cortisol escape.