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Objective

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and somatostatin both play important roles in mediating responses to acute and chronic stress. The purpose of this study was to measure CSF concentrations of CRF and somatostatin in patients with chronic combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comparison subjects.

Method

Lumbar punctures for collection of CSF were performed in Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD (N= 11) and comparison subjects (N= 17). CSF concentrations of CRF and somatostatin were compared between the two groups.

Results

CSF concentrations of CRF were higher in the PTSD patients than in the comparison subjects (mean= 29.0 pg/ml, SD= 7.8, versus mean= 21.9 pg/ml, SD= 6.0). This group difference remained significant after covariance for age. CSF somatostatin concentrations in PTSD patients were higher than those of the comparison subjects (mean= 19.9 pg/ml …