Effects of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone in Depression

Ten euthyroid women with unipolar depression were treated with a single injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (T.R.H.) and a single injection of saline in a double-blind, crossover comparison. T.R.H. caused a prompt, brief improvement in depression without causing significant side-effects Most patients showed a reduced thyrotropin (T.S.H.) response to T.R.H. injection, though none had abnormal thyroid function tests or clinical findings suggesting pituitary or thyroid disease