Effect of aspirin on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and on neuropsychological performance in healthy adults: a pilot study

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  2. Dr Stuart Watson
  3. Kate Horton
  4. Dr Peter Gallagher
  5. Professor Nicol Ferrier
Author(s)Watson S, Horton K, Bulmer S, Carlile J, Corcoran C, Gallagher P, Ferrier IN
Publication type Article
JournalPsychopharmacology
Year2009
Volume205
Issue1
Pages151-155
ISSN (print)0033-3158
ISSN (electronic)1432-2072
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Rationale Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysregulation predicts poor clinical and biochemical response to antidepressants. Antiglucocorticoids have therapeutic benefits but most have a troublesome adverse event profile. Aspects of neuropsychological performance, notably working memory, are susceptible to corticosteroid modulation and are impaired in depression. Aspirin has been shown to attenuate the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol response to physiological challenge suggesting its potential to act as an augmenting agent in depression. Objectives To examine the effect of sub-acute (300 mg daily for 7 days) aspirin pre-treatment on the cortisol awakening response and the effect of acute (600 mg) and sub-acute aspirin on the neuroendocrine and neuropsychological response to the arginine vasopressin analogue, desmopressin. Results We demonstrated that aspirin pre-treatment did not attenuate the cortisol or ACTH response to desmopressin but, as hypothesised, significantly reduced the cortisol awakening response and improved working memory. Conclusions Further studies to examine the impact of aspirin on neuropsychological performance and HPA axis function are warranted.
PublisherSpringer Berlin
URLhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1525-4
DOI10.1007/s00213-009-1525-4
PubMed id19404617
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