Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Neuropsychiatry

The objectives of this work were to examine whether there is an increased activity of hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia patients, and to detect the presence of an association between the level of plasma cortisol and thoughts of death and anhedonia in both disorders. Twenty patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 20 patients with schizophrenia were studied in comparison to 20 controls; All patients were assessed through present state examination 10th revision of the schedules of clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry (SCAN) (PSE-10). Snaith hamilton pleasure scale (SHAPS) was used for all patients to assess anhedonia; Beck's suicidal Ideation scale (SIS)was used for all patients to quantify and assess suicidal intention

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