RESUMO
Objective To compare the executive functions and releases function of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in patients with single and bipolar depression disorder. Methods 32 single-phase depression (the single group) and 31 bipolar depression patients (the bipolar group) were enrolled in this study. The trail making test A and B and Stroop test (Stroop-C and Stroop-CW) were tested at 0,4 week and 8 week later. In addition,levels of 24-h urine 17-OH cortisol,24-h urine free corticosterone and plasma cortisol were also detrmined. The related results were compared among the two groups and 28 healthycontrol group. Results The TMT-A,TMT-B,Stroop-C and Stroop-CW of the baseline and at 4 week were significantly longer in the depression group than those in the control group(P<0.01,respectively), and the plasma cortisol was also higher in the depression group than that in the control (P<0.01). On baseline, the single group showed significantly longer TMT-B and Stroop-C than those in the bipolar group (P < 0.01, respectively). At 0 week, lower plasma cortisol concentrations did not appear at 12.00 AM, and the midnight deep valley secretion disappeared. However, the midnight deep valley secretion recoveried at 4 week. Conclussion The differences on executive dysfunction and excessive release of HPA-axis function between the single and the bipolar depression should be followed with interest.