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Peltier MR, Verplaetse TL, Altemus M, Zakiniaeiz Y, Ralevski EA, Mineur YS, Gueorguieva R, Picciotto MR, Cosgrove KP, Petrakis I, McKee SA. The role of neurosteroids in posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder: A review of 10 years of clinical literature and treatment implications. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 73:101119. [PMID: 38184208 PMCID: PMC11185997 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are increasing in men and women and there are high rates of concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and AUD. AUD and PTSD synergistically increase symptomatology and negatively affect treatment outcomes; however, there are very limited pharmacological treatments for PTSD/AUD. Neurosteroids have been implicated in the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of both PTSD and AUD and may be a target for treatment development. This review details the past ten years of research on pregnenolone, progesterone, allopregnanolone, pregnanolone, estradiol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone/dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA/DHEA-S) in the context of PTSD and AUD, including examination of trauma/alcohol-related variables, such as stress-reactivity. Emerging evidence that exogenous pregnenolone, progesterone, and allopregnanolone may be promising, novel interventions is also discussed. Specific emphasis is placed on examining the application of sex as a biological variable in this body of literature, given that women are more susceptible to both PTSD diagnoses and stress-related alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- MacKenzie R Peltier
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
| | | | - Margaret Altemus
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Yasmin Zakiniaeiz
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Ralevski
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Yann S Mineur
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Ralitza Gueorguieva
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marina R Picciotto
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Kelly P Cosgrove
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ismene Petrakis
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mental Health Service, West Haven, CT 06516, USA; National Center for PTSD, Clinical Neuroscience Division, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Sherry A McKee
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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Gates MV, Lester EG, Reichman M, Silverman IH, Lin A, Vranceanu AM. Does gender moderate resiliency variables and posttraumatic stress symptoms in informal caregivers of neurocritical care patients? An exploratory study. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:22-38. [PMID: 36878877 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2023.2185268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
We examined gender differences between resiliency factors (i.e. mindfulness, self-efficacy, coping, intimate care, and caregiver preparedness) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in informal caregivers of patients in the neuroscience intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU). Ninety-two informal caregivers were enrolled during patients' hospitalization and completed resiliency measures at baseline, and a PTSS measure at baseline, 3 and 6 months. We conducted five ANCOVAs to explore gender and resiliency on PTSS. No significant main effects of gender on PTSS were observed across time points. However, main effects were seen for resiliency on PTSS at baseline for informal caregivers with high (vs. low) mindfulness, coping, and self-efficacy. Gender moderated the association between mindfulness and PTSS (i.e. high mindfulness at baseline was associated with lower PTSS in males compared to females at 3 months) and intimate care and PTSS (high intimate care at baseline was associated with lower PTSS in males than females at 6 months; high intimate care at baseline for females was associated with lower PTSS at 6 months than females with low intimate care). Overall, we observed associations among informal caregivers' gender, resiliency, and PTSS, with males particularly benefitting from mindfulness and intimate care. These findings hold value for future inquiry into gender differences in this population with possible clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa V Gates
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ethan G Lester
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mira Reichman
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ilyssa H Silverman
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ann Lin
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Ana-Maria Vranceanu
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research (CHOIR), Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Drost L, Finke JB, Behrje A, Rebeck D, Domes G, Schächinger H. Optimal timing of oral metyrapone intake for the suppression of cold-pressor stress-induced cortisol release. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 156:106328. [PMID: 37393800 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological manipulation of cortisol levels is instrumental in elucidating mechanisms underlying acute stress effects and for distinguishing the physiological and behavioral effects of cortisol from those of the adrenergic system. Administration (oral or IV) of hydrocortisone is a direct and efficient method to elevate cortisol, and thus, frequently used in psychobiological stress research. However, lowering of cortisol (i.e. blockade of stress cortisol) requires a more sophisticated approach, such as the administration of the corticostatic compound metyrapone (MET). However, there is insufficient knowledge about the temporal dynamics of MET for the blocking of stress-induced cortisol reactivity. Thus, the present study aimed to build up an experimental protocol suitable to suppress acute behavioral stress-induced cortisol secretion by MET. METHODS 50 healthy young men were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups. They received 750 mg oral MET either 30 (n = 9), 45 (n = 11), or 60 (n = 10) minutes before exposure to a combined cold pressor and mental arithmetic test (stress induction), or were subjected to two different control treatments (placebo 60 min before stress (n = 10) or MET 30 min before non-stressful warm-water condition (n = 10)). Salivary cortisol concentration, hemodynamics, and subjective ratings were assessed. RESULTS Suppression of cold stress-induced cortisol release was strongest when MET intake was scheduled 30 min prior to stress onset. Cardiovascular stress-responses and subjective ratings remained unaffected by MET. CONCLUSION In healthy young males, 750 mg of MET efficiently block cold stress-induced cortisol release when oral administration is scheduled 30 min prior to stress onset. This finding may guide future research in improving timing of suppression of stress-induced cortisol secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Drost
- Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany.
| | - Johannes B Finke
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2a, 57076 Siegen, Germany
| | - Andreas Behrje
- Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany
| | - Dagmar Rebeck
- Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany
| | - Gregor Domes
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schächinger
- Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, University of Trier, Johanniterufer 15, 54290 Trier, Germany
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Lin YC, Papadopoulos V. Neurosteroidogenic enzymes: CYP11A1 in the central nervous system. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 62:100925. [PMID: 34015388 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurosteroids, steroid hormones synthesized locally in the nervous system, have important neuromodulatory and neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system. Progress in neurosteroid research has led to the successful translation of allopregnanolone into an approved therapy for postpartum depression. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the assumption that steroidogenesis is exactly the same between the nervous system and the periphery. This review focuses on CYP11A1, the only enzyme currently known to catalyze the first reaction in steroidogenesis to produce pregnenolone, the precursor to all other steroids. Although CYP11A1 mRNA has been found in brain of many mammals, the presence of CYP11A1 protein has been difficult to detect, particularly in humans. Here, we highlight the discrepancies in the current evidence for CYP11A1 in the central nervous system and propose new directions for understanding neurosteroidogenesis, which will be crucial for developing neurosteroid-based therapies for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Christina Lin
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Vassilios Papadopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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Yoon S, Kim YK. Neuroendocrinological treatment targets for posttraumatic stress disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 90:212-222. [PMID: 30502374 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent, disabling, and frequently becomes chronic. Despite this, only two selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors have been approved to date for its treatment by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and treatment results are often disappointing, with a remission rate of <30%. Certain neuroendocrinological systems are currently gaining attention with respect to their use for PTSD prevention and treatment as standalone options or medication-enhanced psychotherapy due to their involvement in physiological stress reactions, memory consolidation and extinction, cognitive appraisal to stress, and attachment and resilient coping strategies, which are important in the pathogenesis of PTSD. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis system takes the most important role in stress reactions. Hydrocortisone has been studied for the prevention of PTSD, and some meta-analyses have suggested its possible efficacy; furthermore, it has been considered both as monotherapy and as an augmentation to psychotherapy in PTSD patients, with some positive results. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonists and corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 antagonists have also been considered for clinical use in PTSD treatment. Additionally, other neuroendocrinological systems have been studied in PTSD including the use of oxytocin for PTSD prevention and augmentation to psychotherapy, allopregnanolone, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) for PTSD treatment. For now, however, these studies offer only limited evidence of efficacy, thus it is prudent to study this issue more vigorously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seoyoung Yoon
- Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Daegu school of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Modulation of the endocannabinoid system by sex hormones: Implications for posttraumatic stress disorder. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 94:302-320. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Pineles SL, Nillni YI, Pinna G, Irvine J, Webb A, Arditte Hall KA, Hauger R, Miller MW, Resick PA, Orr SP, Rasmusson AM. PTSD in women is associated with a block in conversion of progesterone to the GABAergic neurosteroids allopregnanolone and pregnanolone measured in plasma. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 93:133-141. [PMID: 29727810 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
There is a need to identify new and more effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Allopregnanolone and its stereoisomer pregnanolone (together termed ALLO) are metabolites of progesterone that positively and allosterically modulate GABA effects at GABAA receptors, thereby reducing anxiety and depression. Previous research revealed that women with PTSD had low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ALLO levels and a low ratio of ALLO to the allopregnanolone precursor 5α-DHP, consistent with deficient activity of the ALLO synthetic enzyme 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD). The current study examined ALLO and the ratio of ALLO to 5α-DHP in plasma at rest and in response to psychophysiological stressors in trauma-exposed, medication-free women with and without PTSD. Participants were examined twice in random order during the early follicular phase (eFP) and mid-luteal phase (mLP) of the menstrual cycle. Plasma neurosteroids were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results indicate that the ALLO to 5α-DHP ratio in plasma increases between the eFP and mLP. In addition, women with PTSD have a lower ratio of ALLO to 5α-DHP than trauma-exposed healthy women, as well as blunted increases in this ratio in response to a moderately stressful laboratory procedure, i.e., differential fear conditioning, across the menstrual cycle. Clinically feasible testing for 3α-HSD dysfunction is critical to translating this line of research into clinical care. Measurement of this ratio in plasma could facilitate patient stratification in clinical treatment trials, as well as precision medicine targeting of treatments that address ALLO synthesis deficits in women with PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Pineles
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Y I Nillni
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - G Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - J Irvine
- The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - A Webb
- The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - K A Arditte Hall
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - R Hauger
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego VA Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, 9216, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - M W Miller
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - P A Resick
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - S P Orr
- Psychiatry Department, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - A M Rasmusson
- National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
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Inslicht SS, Rao MN, Richards A, O'Donovan A, Gibson CJ, Baum T, Metzler TJ, Neylan TC. Sleep and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis responses to metyrapone in posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:136-143. [PMID: 29268182 PMCID: PMC6170159 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Disturbed sleep is a core feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterized in part by decreased delta power sleep that may result from stress-related alterations in corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) regulation and glucocorticoid signaling. Overnight HPA axis response mediating sleep disturbances in men and women with PTSD was examined using a metyrapone challenge. Metyrapone blocks cortisol synthesis, removing negative feedback, and increases the release of hypothalamic CRF and pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Laboratory-based polysomnography was used to monitor the sleep of 66 medically healthy, medication-free men and pre-menopausal follicular phase women including 33 with chronic PTSD (16 women and 17 men) and 33 age- and sex-matched controls (14 women and 19 men) over 3 consecutive nights. Participants completed an overnight metyrapone challenge after an adaptation and baseline night of sleep and ACTH was obtained by repeated blood sampling. Metyrapone resulted in a greater increase in ACTH and greater decreases in cortisol and delta spectral power sleep in PTSD subjects compared to controls, and a greater increase in ACTH in women compared to men. There was no sex difference in metyrapone effects on delta power sleep, and no significant metyrapone by PTSD by sex interactions with either ACTH or delta power sleep. Regression analyses indicated that a greater increase in ACTH response was associated with a greater decrease in delta power sleep response in PTSD subjects, but no such relationship was found in controls. The PTSD group difference was similar in men and women. These results suggest that stress-related alterations of the HPA axis in PTSD may contribute to sleep difficulties. Therapeutics that target the HPA axis may offer promise as a potential future treatment for PTSD and related sleep difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabra S Inslicht
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA 94121, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States; Northern California Institute for Research and Education (NCIRE), The Veterans Health Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States.
| | - Madhu N Rao
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Anne Richards
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA 94121, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States; Northern California Institute for Research and Education (NCIRE), The Veterans Health Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
| | - Aoife O'Donovan
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA 94121, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States; Northern California Institute for Research and Education (NCIRE), The Veterans Health Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
| | - Carolyn J Gibson
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA 94121, United States; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Tierney Baum
- Institute of Neurodegenerative Disease, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, United States
| | - Thomas J Metzler
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA 94121, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States; Northern California Institute for Research and Education (NCIRE), The Veterans Health Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- San Francisco VA Healthcare System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA 94121, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States; Northern California Institute for Research and Education (NCIRE), The Veterans Health Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States
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Cooper O, Bonert V, Moser F, Mirocha J, Melmed S. Altered Pituitary Gland Structure and Function in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. J Endocr Soc 2017; 1:577-587. [PMID: 29264511 PMCID: PMC5686623 DOI: 10.1210/js.2017-00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stressors, but links to neurophysiological and neuroanatomical changes are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stress-induced cortisol alters negative feedback on pituitary corticotroph function and pituitary volume. Design: Prospective controlled study in an outpatient clinic. Methods: Subjects with PTSD and matched control subjects underwent pituitary volume measurement on magnetic resonance imaging, with pituitary function assessed by 24-hour urine free cortisol (UFC), 8:00 am cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels, and ACTH levels after 2-day dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test. Primary outcome was pituitary volume; secondary outcomes were ACTH area under the curve (AUC) and 24-hour UFC. Results: Thirty-nine subjects were screened and 10 subjects with PTSD were matched with 10 healthy control subjects by sex and age. Mean pituitary volume was 729.7 mm3 [standard deviation (SD), 227.3 mm3] in PTSD subjects vs 835.2 mm3 (SD, 302.8 mm3) in control subjects. ACTH AUC was 262.5 pg/mL (SD, 133.3 pg/mL) L in PTSD vs 244.0 pg/mL (SD, 158.3 pg/mL) in control subjects (P = 0.80). In PTSD subjects, UFC levels and pituitary volume inversely correlated with PTSD duration; pituitary volume correlated with ACTH AUC in control subjects (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.88, P = 0.0009) but not in PTSD subjects. Conclusions: The HPA axis may be downregulated and dysregulated in people with PTSD, as demonstrated by discordant pituitary corticotroph function and pituitary volume vs intact HPA feedback and correlation of pituitary volume with ACTH levels in healthy control subjects. The results suggest a link between pituitary structure and function in PTSD, which may point to endocrine targeted therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odelia Cooper
- Pituitary Center, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048
| | - Vivien Bonert
- Pituitary Center, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048
| | - Franklin Moser
- Department of Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048
| | - James Mirocha
- Biostatistics Core, Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048
| | - Shlomo Melmed
- Pituitary Center, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048
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He YQ, Lang XQ, Lin L, Ji L, Yuan XY, Chen Q, Ran YM, Chen HS, Li L, Wang JM, Wang ZG, Gregersen H, Zou DW, Liang HP, Yang M. P2X3 receptor-mediated visceral hyperalgesia and neuronal sensitization following exposure to PTSD-like stress in the dorsal root ganglia of rats. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017; 29. [PMID: 27781340 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often share co-morbidity with chronic pain conditions. Recent studies suggest a role of P2X3 receptors and ATP signaling in pain conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms of visceral hyperalgesia following exposure to PTSD-like stress conditions remain unclarified. METHODS The behavior and hormones relevant for PTSD were studied. Visceromotor responses (VMR) and the abdominal withdrawal reflexes (AWR) to colorectal distention (CRD) were recorded to determine P2X3-receptor-mediated alteration of hyperalgesia following single-prolonged stress (SPS) exposure. Immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and patch-clamp were used. KEY RESULTS The escape latency, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol were increased on days 7-14. Visceromotor responses and AWR was reduced at day 1 in SPS rats but increased to higher levels than in controls after exposure to day 7. Intrathecal administration of the P2X3-receptor antagonist TNP-ATP abolished the CRD response. Based on immunofluorescence and Western blotting analysis, SPS-treated rats exhibited reduced P2X3 expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) after day 1 compared with controls. P2X3 expression in DRG was enhanced on day 7 after SPS and the increase of the P2X3 expression was maintained on day 14 and 21 compared with controls. The P2X3-receptor agonist α,β-me ATP (10 μM) induced a fast desensitizing inward current in DRG neurons of both control and SPS-treated rats. The average peak current densities in SPS-treated group were increased 3.6-fold. TNP-ATP (100 nM) markedly blocked all fast α,β-me ATP-induced inward currents in the DRG neurons both in control and SPS-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES The data indicate an important role of P2X3 signaling in visceral hyperalgesia following PTSD-like stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y-Q He
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - X-Q Lang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - X-Y Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Q Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y-M Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - H-S Chen
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medical Research in Cognitive Development and Learning and Memory Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - L Li
- Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - J-M Wang
- Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Z-G Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Gregersen
- GIOME and the Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - D-W Zou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - H-P Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - M Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Department of Gastroenterology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Panzica G, Melcangi RC. Structural and molecular brain sexual differences: A tool to understand sex differences in health and disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 67:2-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Kirschbaum C, Alexander N, Stalder T. An integrative model linking traumatization, cortisol dysregulation and posttraumatic stress disorder: Insight from recent hair cortisol findings. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 69:124-35. [PMID: 27443960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Abundant evidence suggests links between trauma exposure, altered secretion of the glucocorticoid cortisol and the development/maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), albeit with some inconsistency in findings. Further insight into the complex relations underlying this process may be derived from an increasing number of studies using hair cortisol analysis, a novel assessment strategy assumed to retrospectively capture long-term integrated cortisol secretion. Here, we evaluate the utility of hair cortisol analysis as a method in trauma/PTSD research and review current findings in this context. We compare hair cortisol data on the complex links between trauma, cortisol dysregulation and PTSD against the main findings obtained using traditional cortisol assessment methods. Finally, we integrate these data into a model which proposes that traumatization leads to dose and time-dependent changes in long-term cortisol output (initial post-traumatic increase, subsequent chronic attenuation) and that such dysregulation may partly mediate the link between traumatic load and the risk of PTSD development upon additional trauma exposure ("building block effect").
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nina Alexander
- Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Tobias Stalder
- Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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