The correlations for ACTH decline and ccf-mtDNA levels and for cortisol decline and ccf-mtDNA levels remained significant when controlling for age, diabetes status, and antidepressant use (ACTH decline: β = −0.170, p = 0.020; cortisol decline: β = −0.143, p = 0.043) (Table 3 and Fig. 2a, b). The gene discussed is POMC; the disease is diabetes mellitus.