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Obleser J, Kreitewolf J, Vielhauer R, Lindner F, David C, Oster H, Tune S. Circadian fluctuations in glucocorticoid level predict perceptual discrimination sensitivity. iScience 2021; 24:102345. [PMID: 33870139 PMCID: PMC8047178 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Slow neurobiological rhythms, such as the circadian secretion of glucocorticoid (GC) hormones, modulate a variety of body functions. Whether and how endocrine fluctuations also exert an influence on perceptual abilities is largely uncharted. Here, we show that phasic increases in GC availability prove beneficial to auditory discrimination. In an age-varying sample of N = 68 healthy human participants, we characterize the covariation of saliva cortisol with perceptual sensitivity in an auditory pitch discrimination task at five time points across the sleep-wake cycle. First, momentary saliva cortisol levels were captured well by the time relative to wake-up and overall sleep duration. Second, within individuals, higher cortisol levels just prior to behavioral testing predicted better pitch discrimination ability, expressed as a steepened psychometric curve. This effect of GCs held under a set of statistical controls. Our results pave the way for more in-depth studies on neuroendocrinological determinants of sensory encoding and perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Obleser
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Center for Brain, Behavior, and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jens Kreitewolf
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ricarda Vielhauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Fanny Lindner
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Carolin David
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Henrik Oster
- Institute of Neurobiology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Center for Brain, Behavior, and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sarah Tune
- Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Center for Brain, Behavior, and Metabolism, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
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