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The HPA axis exploration in the endogenous depressions indicates an hyperactivity of this system. But the reason of this perturbation is not definite. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) test has been described from research work carried out by Vale et al. In the endogenous depressions, this test enables us to specify physiopathological factors of the HPA axis dysfunction. Some research suggest an hypothalamic and limbic CRF hypersecretion in the endogenous depressions. But the results are not consistent principally because of the diversity of technical protocols. So the authors try to take stock of the CRF test specificity. They report the results obtained after 100 micrograms o-CRF intravenous administration in 7 voluntary normal men.

A 100-micrograms bolus of synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor was administered intravenously to 10 nondepressed inpatients suffering from an alcohol dependence disorder. The test was performed during withdrawal and after 4 weeks of abstinence. During withdrawal, the plasma cortisol responses of alcoholic patients and 7 control subjects were similar, except for an earlier decrease of cortisol in the former group. However, after 4 weeks of abstinence, the cortisol response was significantly lower in alcoholic patients than in controls. These abnormalities observed during discontinuance of alcohol consumption may reflect adaptive mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity which may be previously altered by chronic alcohol intoxication.