Mood disorders: TRH stimulation test: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Psychiatry · Mood disorders: TRH stimulation test

Sample item

Neuroendocrine tests are performed in patients with major depression. After an intravenous dose of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which result is reported in a substantial minority of them?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Blunted TSH response

A blunted TSH response to TRH is found in about a quarter of patients with major depression and is a reported biological marker. It is not diagnostic. An exaggerated response is expected in primary hypothyroidism, which can itself mimic depression.

Option by option

  • A. Suppressed prolactin level

    TRH raises rather than suppresses prolactin, and this is not the reported depression marker.

  • B. Blunted TSH response (correct)

    Correct. Blunted TSH response to TRH is the recognised finding.

  • C. Exaggerated TSH response

    An exaggerated TSH rise is the response of primary hypothyroidism and not the depression marker.

  • D. Absent cortisol rise

    TRH does not test the adrenal axis, so cortisol is not the readout.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Psychiatry questions

Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Blunted TSH response. A blunted TSH response to TRH is found in about a quarter of patients with major depression and is a reported biological marker.

Why is "Suppressed prolactin level" not the answer?

TRH raises rather than suppresses prolactin, and this is not the reported depression marker.

Why is "Exaggerated TSH response" not the answer?

An exaggerated TSH rise is the response of primary hypothyroidism and not the depression marker.

Why is "Absent cortisol rise" not the answer?

TRH does not test the adrenal axis, so cortisol is not the readout.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: TRH stimulation test in Psychiatry. It is not diagnostic. An exaggerated response is expected in primary hypothyroidism, which can itself mimic depression.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mood disorders: TRH stimulation test?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.