1
|
Park JY, Seok JH, Cho KS, Kang DH, Kim JS, Do SH, Na HS, Jang SA, Ahn RS. Association of salivary testosterone levels during the post-awakening period with age and symptoms suggestive of late-onset hypogonadism in men. Ann Med 2024; 56:2356667. [PMID: 38776237 PMCID: PMC11123501 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2356667] [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: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lack of association between serum testosterone levels and symptoms suggestive of hypogonadism is a significant barrier in the determination of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in men. This study explored whether testosterone levels increase after morning awakening, likewise the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and whether testosterone levels during the post-awakening period are associated with age and symptoms suggestive of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in men. METHODS Testosterone and cortisol levels were determined in saliva samples collected immediately upon awakening and 30 and 60 min after awakening, and scores of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire were obtained from 225 healthy adult men. RESULTS A typical CAR (an increase in cortisol level ≥ 2.5 nmol/L above individual baseline) was observed in 155 participants (the subgroup exhibiting typical CAR). In the subgroup exhibiting CAR, testosterone levels sharply increased during the post-awakening period, showing a significant negative correlation with age, total AMS score, and the scores of 11 items on the somatic, psychological, and sexual AMS subscales. Of these items, three sexual items (AMS items #15-17) were correlated with age. Meanwhile, there was no notable increase in testosterone levels and no significant correlation of testosterone levels with age and AMS score in the subgroup exhibiting no typical CAR (n = 70). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis responds to morning awakening, and determining testosterone levels during the post-awakening period in men with typical CAR may be useful for assessing HPG axis function and LOH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jai-Young Park
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Seok
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang-Su Cho
- Department of Urology, Prostate Cancer Center, Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyun Kang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Sun Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hwan Do
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Seok Na
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Ah Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ryun S. Ahn
- Institute of Behavioral Sciences in Medicine, Yonsei University Gangnam Severance Hospital, College Of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Byg LM, Bilenberg N, Glintborg D, Andersen MS, Wesselhoeft R. The longitudinal relationship between prenatal maternal cortisol and preschool internalising problems. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 168:107141. [PMID: 39059226 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107141] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRO Prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids may increase the risk of emotional symptoms in childhood partly by reducing fetal growth. We explored if physiological levels of prenatal maternal cortisol were associated with internalising problems in boys and girls and if this was mediated by birth weight. METHODS Mother-child dyads from the prospective Odense Child Cohort (n=1162) were included if maternal serum cortisol (3rd trimester), offspring birth weight, and Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) assessments in preschool age were available. Crude and adjusted associations between cortisol and internalising problems were determined in linear mixed models stratified by offspring sex. Covariates included parental psychiatric history, parity, maternal age, education, smoking during pregnancy, and gestational age at birth. In the presence of significant associations, we evaluated the potential mediating role of birth weight. RESULTS The study sample included 601 boys and 561 girls and internalising problems were assessed at mean ages 2.3 (±0.4) and 5 (±0.5) years. In the crude analysis, cortisol was positively associated with internalising problems in boys (p-value 0.017) and in girls (p-value < 0.0001). In the adjusted analyses, there was no statistically significant association between cortisol and offspring internalising problems in boys or girls (all p-values > 0.15). There was no mediation by birth weight. DISCUSSION Maternal serum cortisol was positively associated with offspring internalising problems in boys and girls, but there was no association following adjustment for potential confounders and no mediation through birth weight. Maternal third-trimester cortisol levels do not predict preschool offspring internalising problems in our study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lars Meinertz Byg
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Southern Denmark, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Niels Bilenberg
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Southern Denmark, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorte Glintborg
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne Skovsager Andersen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rikke Wesselhoeft
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Southern Denmark, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Popp KL, Bozzini BN, Reynoso M, Coulombe J, Guerriere KI, Proctor SP, Castellani CM, Walker LA, Zurinaga N, Kuhn K, Foulis SA, Bouxsein ML, Hughes JM, Santoro N. Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis suppression is common among women during US Army Basic Combat Training. Br J Sports Med 2024:bjsports-2023-107716. [PMID: 39043442 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Less than half of servicewomen report loss of menses during initial military training. However, self-reported menstrual status may not accurately reflect hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis suppression and may underestimate reproductive health consequences of military training. Our aim was to characterise HPO axis function during US Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) in non-hormonal contraceptive-using women and explore potential contributors to HPO axis suppression. METHODS In this 10-week prospective observational study, we enrolled multi-ethnic women entering BCT. Trainees provided daily first-morning voided urine, and weekly blood samples during BCT. Urinary luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and metabolites of estradiol and progesterone were measured by chemiluminescent assays (Siemens Centaur XP) to determine hormone patterns and luteal activity. We measured body composition, via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, at the beginning and end of BCT. RESULTS Trainees (n=55) were young (mean (95% CI): 22 (22, 23) years) with average body mass index (23.9 (23.1, 24.7) kg/m2). Most trainees (78%) reported regular menstrual cycles before BCT. During BCT, 23 (42%) trainees reported regular menses. However, only seven trainees (12.5%) had menstrual cycles with evidence of luteal activity (ELA) (ie, presumed ovulation), all with shortened luteal phases. 41 trainees (75%) showed no ELA (NELA), and 7 (12.5%) were categorised as indeterminant. Overall, women gained body mass and lean mass, but lost fat mass during BCT. Changes in body mass and composition appear unrelated to luteal activity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal profound HPO axis suppression with NELA in the majority of women during BCT. This HPO axis suppression occurs among women who report normal menstrual cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L Popp
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
- TRIA Orthopaedic Center, HealthPartners Institute, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
- Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program, Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brittany N Bozzini
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marinaliz Reynoso
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Coulombe
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katelyn I Guerriere
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan P Proctor
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Colleen M Castellani
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leila A Walker
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicholas Zurinaga
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine Kuhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stephen A Foulis
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary L Bouxsein
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Center for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Endcrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julie M Hughes
- Military Performance Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nanette Santoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Høgh S, Lange EØ, Høgsted ES, Larsen K, Hegaard HK, Borgsted C, Frokjaer VG. The cortisol awakening response is blunted in healthy women early postpartum. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 165:107048. [PMID: 38657341 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107048] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The dynamic capacity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis supports healthy adaptions to stress and play a key role in maintaining mental health. Perinatal adaptations in the HPA-axis dynamics in terms of the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), may be involved in dysregulation of perinatal mental health. We aimed to determine if CAR and absolute evening cortisol early postpartum differed from non-perinatal women and evaluate the association between the CAR and maternal mental well-being. METHODS The CAR was computed as the area under the curve with respect to increase from baseline from serial home-sampling of saliva across 0-60 minutes from awakening. We evaluated differences in CAR and absolute evening cortisol between postpartum women (N=50, mean postpartum days: 38, SD: ±11) and non-perinatal women (N=91) in a multiple linear regression model. We also evaluated the association between CAR and maternal mental well-being in a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS We found that healthy postpartum women had a blunted CAR (p<0.001) corresponding to 84% reduction and 80% lower absolute evening cortisol (p<0.001) relative to non-perinatal healthy women. In the postpartum group, there was a trend-level association between lower CAR and higher scores on the WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5) (p=0.048) and lower Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores (p=0.04). CONCLUSION Our data emphasize the unique hormonal landscape during the postpartum period in terms of blunted CAR and lower absolute evening cortisol in healthy women early postpartum compared to non-perinatal. Our findings show a potential association between a reduced CAR and improved mental well-being during early motherhood, which suggests that reduced CAR might reflect healthy adjustment to early motherhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stinne Høgh
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Emilie Ø Lange
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emma S Høgsted
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Larsen
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne K Hegaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Camilla Borgsted
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vibe G Frokjaer
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gideon A, von Känel R, Degroote C, Thomas L, Zuccarella-Hackl C, Wiest R, Wirtz PH. Increased daytime and awakening salivary free aldosterone in essential hypertensive men. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1335329. [PMID: 38984356 PMCID: PMC11231427 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1335329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While aldosterone plays an important role in blood pressure regulation, its role in essential hypertension (EHT) remains unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the secretion of biologically-active free aldosterone in saliva in response to awakening (AldAR) and during the day (AldDay) in EHT compared to normotensive controls (NT). Methods In 30 men with EHT and 30 age-matched NT, AldAR saliva samples were collected immediately after awakening and 15, 30, 45, and 60 min thereafter and AldDay samples were collected from 08:30-22:00 h on two consecutive days. Results Over the course of the day, men with EHT had higher repeated AldDay levels compared to NT (p = .002) with higher concentrations in the morning hours (p's ≤ .047), a steeper decline over the course of the day (p's ≤ .018), and similar concentrations in the evening (p's ≥ .21). Regarding AldAR, we observed higher concentrations in EHT at awakening (p = .017) and borderline higher concentrations at 15 min (p = .086). No differences were found 30-60 min after awakening (p's ≥ .34). Analyses with repeated and aggregated AldAR levels resulted in borderline significantly higher free aldosterone in EHT (p's ≤ .077). Complementary analyses confirmed linear associations between higher blood pressure and higher AldAR and AldDay levels. Conclusions Our data point to elevated salivary free aldosterone secretion in EHT over the course of the day, particularly in the morning hours. As the free aldosterone fraction is considered biologically active, our data may point to a biological mechanism underlying EHT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Gideon
- Biological Work and Health Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Roland von Känel
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cathy Degroote
- Biological Work and Health Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Livia Thomas
- Biological Work and Health Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Claudia Zuccarella-Hackl
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland Wiest
- Support Center of Advanced Neuroimaging, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Petra H. Wirtz
- Biological Work and Health Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xie H, Xie Z, Luan F, Zeng J, Zhang X, Chen L, Zeng N, Liu R. Potential therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicine in postpartum depression: Mechanisms and future directions. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 324:117785. [PMID: 38262525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common psychiatric disorder in women after childbirth. Per data from epidemiologic studies, PPD affects about 5%-26.32% of postpartum mothers worldwide. Biological factors underlying this condition are multiple and complex and have received extensive inquiries for the roles they play in PPD. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), which is widely used as a complementary and alternative therapy for neurological disorders, possesses multi-component, multi-target, multi-access, and low side effect therapeutic characteristics. CHM has already shown efficacy in the treatment of PPD, and a lot more research exploring the mechanisms of its potential therapeutic effects is being conducted. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review provides an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms of PPD, as well as samples the progress made in researching the potential role of CHM in treating the disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature was searched comprehensively in scholarly electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI and WanFang DATA, using the search terms "postpartum depression", "genetic", "hormone", "immune", "neuroinflammation", "inflammation", "neurotransmitter", "neurogenesis", "brain-gut axis", "traditional Chinese medicine", "Chinese herbal medicine", "herb", and an assorted combination of these terms. RESULTS PPD is closely associated with genetics, as well as with the hormones, immune inflammatory, and neurotransmitter systems, neurogenesis, and gut microbes, and these biological factors often interact and work together to cause PPD. For example, inflammatory factors could suppress the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin by inducing the regulation of tryptophan-kynurenine in the direction of neurotoxicity. Many CHM constituents improve anxiety- and depression-like behaviors by interfering with the above-mentioned mechanisms and have shown decent efficacy clinically against PPD. For example, Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang invigorates the neuroendocrine system by boosting the hormone levels of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic pituitary gonadal (HPG) axes, regulating the imbalance of Treg/T-helper cells (Th) 17 and Th1/Th2, and modulating neurotransmitter system to play antidepressant roles. The Shenguiren Mixture interferes with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway to enhance the number, morphology and apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampus of PPD rats. Other herbal extracts and active ingredients of CHM, such as Paeoniflorin, hypericin, timosaponin B-III and more, also manage depression by remedying the neuroendocrine system and reducing neuroinflammation. CONCLUSIONS The pathogenesis of PPD is complex and diverse, with the main pathogenesis not clear. Still, CHM constituents, like Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang, the Shenguiren Mixture, Paeoniflorin, hypericin and other Chinese Medicinal Formulae, active monomers and Crude extracts, treats PPD through multifaceted interventions. Therefore, developing more CHM components for the treatment of PPD is an essential step forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China.
| | - Zhiqiang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China.
| | - Fei Luan
- Shaanxi Province Key Laboratory of New Drugs and Chinese Medicine Foundation Research, Pharmacy College, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, PR China.
| | - Jiuseng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China.
| | - Xiumeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China.
| | - Li Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China.
| | - Nan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China.
| | - Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Guo K, Zhao X, Luo J, Ren Y, Liu Y, Yang J. Relationship of sleep with diurnal cortisol rhythm considering sleep measurement and cortisol sampling schemes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 162:106952. [PMID: 38232528 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106952] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Information on the relationships between the previous night's sleep and the next-day diurnal cortisol rhythm is inconsistent due to confounding factors such as sleep measurements (trait/state sleep and objective/subjective sleep) and cortisol sampling schemes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate these relationships, considering the confounding factors. College students (n = 79) wore actigraphy for 3 days to undergo an evaluation of previous night-time sleep objectively and reported their subjective sleep parameters in a sleep diary. In addition, participants provided six salivary cortisol samples daily. Furthermore, six cortisol sampling schemes were created to reflect diurnal cortisol rhythms, and two different methods were used to calculate the index of diurnal cortisol slope (DCS). A multilevel model was created to examine the impact of both trait and state sleep on next-day diurnal cortisol rhythm. The results revealed that higher objective state sleep efficiency and longer objective state total sleep time were associated with a higher cortisol awakening response (CAR). Moreover, higher objective trait sleep efficiency and longer objective trait total sleep time were associated with higher waking cortisol levels and steeper DCS. In addition, a minimum of four saliva samples were required at different time points, including upon waking, 30 min after waking, 1 h after waking, and at bedtime, to explore the relationship of sleep efficiency/total sleep time with waking cortisol, CAR, and DCS. Furthermore, the index of the peak-to-bed slope was appropriately employed to examine the relationship between sleep efficiency and DCS, whereas the wake-to-bed slope was effective for examining the relationship between total sleep time and DCS. In summary, this study clarified the relationship between sleep and next-day diurnal cortisol rhythm and suggested a cost-effective cortisol sampling schedule and calculation methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaige Guo
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jiahao Luo
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yipeng Ren
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| | - Juan Yang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gauvin DV, McComb M, Farero R. A Commentary on Fasting of Nonclinical Research Animals. Int J Toxicol 2024; 43:196-208. [PMID: 38151260 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231218975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
This commentary discusses the implementation of fasting in nonclinical animal experimental subjects. The short-term removal of food from cages of experimental animals is in all respects innocuous. The term "stress" is ill-defined and the statutes and regulations governing animal research laboratories that exert their authority in the performance of their operations do so without substantive grounds to base compliance. The legislative and administrative history of the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) has evolved into the development of laboratory management strategies that focus on the reduction of the biological cost of stress to the animals and the determination of when subclinical stress (eustress) becomes distress. Animal welfare is based on the tenet that in laboratories conducting animal research in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (Title 21 USC, Chapter 13,§58), it is the study protocol and the study director that establish procedures and processes that are approved by each Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to ensure the humane care and use of animals in research, teaching, and testing and to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations. This approval process establishes the justification of eustress in the environment that do not rise to the threshold of distress under the AWA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David V Gauvin
- Department of Neurobehavioral Sciences, Charles River Laboratories - MWN, Mattawan, MI, USA
| | - Margaret McComb
- Department of Neurobehavioral Sciences, Charles River Laboratories - MWN, Mattawan, MI, USA
| | - Ryan Farero
- Department of Neurobehavioral Sciences, Charles River Laboratories - MWN, Mattawan, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Le Barbenchon E, Trousselard M, Pellissier S, Moisseron-Baudé M, Chachignon P, Bouny P, Touré Cuq E, Jacob S, Vigier C, Hidalgo M, Claverie D, Duffaud AM. Implementation of a Primary Prevention Program for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Cohort of Professional Soldiers (PREPAR): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e47175. [PMID: 38277204 PMCID: PMC10858414 DOI: 10.2196/47175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can manifest after a traumatic event where the individual perceives a threat to his or her life or that of others. Its estimated prevalence in the European population is 0.7% to 1.9%. According to the "dose-response" model, individuals who are most exposed to traumatic events are most at risk of developing PTSD. Hence, it is unsurprising that studies have observed a higher prevalence among the military population, ranging from 10% to 18%, or even up to 45%. This project's overall goal is to evaluate the primary prevention actions that can strengthen the resilience of at-risk professionals, notably military personnel, in the short term, with the medium- to long-term aim of preventing the occurrence of PTSD and improving the patient's prognosis. OBJECTIVE This study's objectives are (1) to design a primary prevention program for PTSD, tailored to the studied military population and compatible with operational constraints; and (2) to implement and validate the Primary Prevention of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Professionals (PREPARE) program in the short term with operational personnel belonging to the French Mountain Infantry Brigade. METHODS This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, parallel-group controlled cohort study. The cohort is divided into 2 groups: the nonintervention group receives no training, and the intervention group follows a dedicated prevention program (structured into 8 workshops and 2 debriefing and practice reinforcement workshops). Each participant is evaluated 4 times (at inclusion, +4 months, +6 months, and +12 months). During each visit, participants complete several psychosocial questionnaires (which take 15-80 minutes to complete). Samples (a 30-mL blood sample and three 5-mL saliva samples) are collected on 3 occasions: at inclusion, +4 months, and +12 months. Emotional reactivity (electrocardiogram and electrodermal activity) is measured before, during, and after the classic and the emotional Stroop task. RESULTS The project is currently ongoing, and results are expected to be published by the end of 2024. CONCLUSIONS The study adopts an integrative approach to the processes that play a role in the risk of developing PTSD. Our biopsychosocial perspective makes it possible to target levers related to factors specific to the individual and socio-professional factors. The following dimensions are addressed: (1) biophysiology (by studying markers of the neurobiological stress response, wear and tear, and vulnerability phenomena and reinforcing the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system), (2) psychology (by facilitating and measuring the development of flexible coping strategies to deal with stress and evaluating the moderating role of the individual's sense of duty in the development of PTSD), and (3) social (by facilitating community strategies aimed at reducing stigmatization and supporting the use of care by professionals in difficulty, in the institutional context). TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05094531; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05094531. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/47175.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marion Trousselard
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Sonia Pellissier
- Univ Savoie Mont Blanc, Univ Grenoble Alpes, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, France
| | - Mathilde Moisseron-Baudé
- School of Practicing Psychologists, Paris, France
- VCR Team, School of Practicing Psychologists, Catholic Institute of Paris - Religion, Culture and Society Reception Team, Paris, France
- Center for Research on Work and Development, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, EA4132, Paris, France
| | - Philippine Chachignon
- Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale, Aix Marseille Université, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | | | | | - Sandrine Jacob
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Cécile Vigier
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Maud Hidalgo
- Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique des Armées, Marseille, France
| | - Damien Claverie
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| | - Anais M Duffaud
- French Armed Forces Biomedical Research Institute, Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Peter HL, Giglberger M, Streit F, Frank J, Kreuzpointner L, Rietschel M, Kudielka BM, Wüst S. Association of polygenic scores for depression and neuroticism with perceived stress in daily life during a long-lasting stress period. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 22:e12872. [PMID: 37876358 PMCID: PMC10733580 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Genetic factors contribute significantly to interindividual differences in the susceptibility to stress-related disorders. As stress can also be conceptualized as environmental exposure, controlled gene-environment interaction (GxE) studies with an in-depth phenotyping may help to unravel mechanisms underlying the interplay between genetic factors and stress. In a prospective-longitudinal quasi-experimental study, we investigated whether polygenic scores (PGS) for depression (DEP-PGS) and neuroticism (NEU-PGS), respectively, were associated with responses to chronic stress in daily life. We examined law students (n = 432) over 13 months. Participants in the stress group experienced a long-lasting stress phase, namely the preparation for the first state examination for law students. The control group consisted of law students without particular stress exposure. In the present manuscript, we analyzed perceived stress levels assessed at high frequency and in an ecologically valid manner by ambulatory assessments as well as depression symptoms and two parameters of the cortisol awakening response. The latter was only assessed in a subsample (n = 196). No associations between the DEP-PGS and stress-related variables were found. However, for the NEU-PGS we found a significant GxE effect. Only in individuals experiencing academic stress a higher PGS for neuroticism predicted stronger increases of perceived stress levels until the exam. At baseline, a higher NEU-PGS was associated with higher perceived stress levels in both groups. Despite the small sample size, we provide preliminary evidence that the genetic disposition for neuroticism is associated with stress level increases in daily life during a long-lasting stress period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L. Peter
- Institute of PsychologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | | | - Fabian Streit
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of MannheimMannheimGermany
| | - Josef Frank
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of MannheimMannheimGermany
| | | | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of MannheimMannheimGermany
| | | | - Stefan Wüst
- Institute of PsychologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Giglberger M, Peter HL, Henze GI, Kraus E, Bärtl C, Konzok J, Kreuzpointner L, Kirsch P, Kudielka BM, Wüst S. Neural responses to acute stress predict chronic stress perception in daily life over 13 months. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19990. [PMID: 37968323 PMCID: PMC10651906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46631-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of amygdala, hippocampus, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) for the integration of neural, endocrine, and affective stress processing was shown in healthy participants and patients with stress-related disorders. The present manuscript which reports on one study-arm of the LawSTRESS project, aimed at investigating the predictive value of acute stress responses in these regions for biopsychological consequences of chronic stress in daily life. The LawSTRESS project examined law students either in preparation for their first state examination (stress group [SG]) or in the mid-phase of their study program (control group [CG]) over 13 months. Ambulatory assessments comprising perceived stress measurements and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) were administered on six sampling points (t1 = - 1 year, t2 = - 3 months, t3 = - 1 week, t4 = exam, t5 = + 1 week, t6 = + 1 month). In a subsample of 124 participants (SG: 61; CG: 63), ScanSTRESS was applied at baseline. In the SG but not in the CG, amygdala, hippocampus, and (post-hoc analyzed) right mPFC activation changes during ScanSTRESS were significantly associated with the trajectory of perceived stress but not with the CAR. Consistent with our finding in the total LawSTRESS sample, a significant increase in perceived stress and a blunted CAR over time could be detected in the SG only. Our findings suggest that more pronounced activation decreases of amygdala, hippocampus, and mPFC in response to acute psychosocial stress at baseline were related to a more pronounced increase of stress in daily life over the following year.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Giglberger
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hannah L Peter
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gina-Isabelle Henze
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
- Research Division of Mind and Brain, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kraus
- Department of Psychology, Computational Modeling in Psychology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Bärtl
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julian Konzok
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ludwig Kreuzpointner
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kirsch
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Brigitte M Kudielka
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Wüst
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schulz A, Larra Y Ramirez MF, Vögele C, Kölsch M, Schächinger H. The relationship between self-reported chronic stress, physiological stress axis dysregulation and medically-unexplained symptoms. Biol Psychol 2023; 183:108690. [PMID: 37757998 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The positive feedback model of medically-unexplained symptoms posits that chronic stress affects the activity of the physiological stress axes, which in turn generates medically-unexplained symptoms. As a first step to empirically test its model assumptions, we investigated potential associations between chronic stress, physiological stress axis activity and medically-unexplained in a cross-sectional study. One hundred-ninety-nine healthy individuals provided self-reports on chronic stress and medically-unexplained symptoms, resting heart rate/variability (HR/HRV; e.g., root mean square of successive differences/RMSSD, low frequency/LF power), cortisol awakening response (CAR) and diurnal cortisol. Significant positive contributors to medically-unexplained symptoms were the chronic stress scales 'lack of social appreciation' and 'chronic worries', as well as CAR and LF HRV; diurnal cortisol was a negative contributor. Mediation analyses showed that the impact of neural indicators associated with physiological stress axis activity (HR/HRV) related to medically-unexplained symptoms, which was mediated by chronic stress, whereas the mediation effect as suggested by the positive feedback model was not significant. These cross-sectional findings do not support the positive feedback model. Longitudinal studies are required to conclude about potential mechanistic and causal relationships in the model. Nevertheless, our mediation analyses give first indication that the constitution of physiological stress axes may play a major role in how stressors are perceived and which kind of health-consequences (e.g., medically-unexplained symptoms) this may have.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- André Schulz
- Clinical Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg; Division of Clinical Psychophysiology, Institute of Psychobiology, Trier University, Trier, Germany; Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Trier University, Trier, Germany.
| | - Mauro F Larra Y Ramirez
- Division of Clinical Psychophysiology, Institute of Psychobiology, Trier University, Trier, Germany; Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Claus Vögele
- Clinical Psychophysiology Laboratory, Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Monika Kölsch
- Division of Clinical Psychophysiology, Institute of Psychobiology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
| | - Hartmut Schächinger
- Division of Clinical Psychophysiology, Institute of Psychobiology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ceballos N, Perrotte J, Sharma S, Awofisayo O, Callaway D, Gordon A, Graham R. Women who pre-game: A study of stress and alcohol use in female collegiate predrinkers. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37581956 PMCID: PMC10867280 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2245499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: This study examined the relationship between stress and pre-gaming (i.e., drinking prior to going out to an event) in female college students. Methods: Thirty-four female college students were grouped as pre-gamers or non-pre-gamers based on self-reported drinking patterns. They completed surveys about alcohol use and mental health and provided a set of salivary cortisol samples upon waking, 30 min later, and at 10am on the same day. Results: Pre-gamers and non-pre-gamers did not differ on demographics or psychosocial variables. Pre-gamers reported riskier drinking overall and had greater endorsement of social, coping, and enhancement drinking motives. Pre-gamers also had lower cortisol levels 30 min after waking and exhibited attenuated CAR. Conclusions: Female collegiate pre-gamers may differ from their peers not only in terms of alcohol consumption and drinking motives, but also on attenuated CAR, a physiological biomarker associated with stress dysregulation and vulnerability to addictive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Ceballos
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Jessica Perrotte
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Shobhit Sharma
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | | | - Danielle Callaway
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Amanda Gordon
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Reiko Graham
- Department of Psychology, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Corbett BA, McGonigle T, Muscatello RA, Liu J, Vandekar S. The developmental trajectory of diurnal cortisol in autistic and neurotypical youth. Dev Psychopathol 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37435752 PMCID: PMC10784411 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing age and puberty affect the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis maturation, which is likely associated with an increase in environmental demands (e.g., social) and vulnerability for the onset of psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression). There is limited research as to whether such patterns are consonant in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition marked by social challenges, dysregulation of the HPA axis, and higher rates of depression setting the stage for enhanced vulnerability during this developmental period.The current study interrogated diurnal cortisol by examining (1) cortisol expression longitudinally over the pubertal transition between autistic and neurotypical youth, (2) the trajectory of diurnal cortisol and the unique contributions of age vs. puberty, and (3) potential sex differences. As hypothesized, results indicate autistic compared to typically developing youth demonstrate a shallower diurnal slope and elevated evening cortisol. These differences were in the context of higher cortisol and flatter rhythms based on age and pubertal development. Also, sex-based differences emerged such that females in both groups had higher cortisol, flatter slopes, and higher evening cortisol than males. The results show that despite the trait-like stability of diurnal cortisol, HPA maturation is impacted by age, puberty, sex, as well as an ASD diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Blythe A. Corbett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Trey McGonigle
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rachael A. Muscatello
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jinyuan Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Simon Vandekar
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rinne GR, Hartstein J, Guardino CM, Dunkel Schetter C. Stress before conception and during pregnancy and maternal cortisol during pregnancy: A scoping review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 153:106115. [PMID: 37119659 PMCID: PMC10936734 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress before conception and during pregnancy is associated with less favorable maternal and child health. Alterations in prenatal cortisol levels may serve as a central biological pathway linking stress to adverse maternal and child health. Research examining associations between maternal stress from childhood through pregnancy and prenatal cortisol has not been comprehensively reviewed. METHOD The current scoping review of 48 papers synthesizes studies reporting on associations between stress before conception and during pregnancy with maternal cortisol in pregnancy. Eligible studies measured childhood, the proximal preconception period, pregnancy, or lifetime stress based on stress exposures or appraisals and measured cortisol in saliva or hair during pregnancy. RESULTS Higher maternal childhood stress was associated with higher cortisol awakening responses and alterations in typical pregnancy-specific changes in diurnal cortisol patterns across studies. In contrast, most studies of preconception and prenatal stress reported null associations with cortisol and those reporting significant effects were inconsistent in direction. A few studies found that the associations between stress and cortisol during pregnancy varied as a function of several moderators including social support and environmental pollution. CONCLUSIONS Although many studies have evaluated effects of maternal stress on prenatal cortisol, this scoping review is the first to synthesize existing literature on this topic. The association between stress before conception and during pregnancy and prenatal cortisol may depend on the developmental timing of stress and several moderators. Maternal childhood stress was more consistently associated with prenatal cortisol than proximal preconception or pregnancy stress. We discuss methodological and analytic factors that may contribute to mixed findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle R Rinne
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Jenna Hartstein
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Karunyam BV, Abdul Karim AK, Naina Mohamed I, Ugusman A, Mohamed WMY, Faizal AM, Abu MA, Kumar J. Infertility and cortisol: a systematic review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1147306. [PMID: 37455908 PMCID: PMC10344356 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1147306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Stress and infertility form a complex relationship. In line with this, various stress-related biological markers have been investigated in infertility. Methods This systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines (i) to report whether cortisol is highly present in infertile patients compared to fertile control; (ii) to report whether there is any significant difference in the cortisol level in infertile subjects that conceive and those that didn't at the end of assisted reproduction treatments. Original articles involving human (male and female) as subjects were extracted from four electronic databases, including the list of references from the published papers. Sixteen original full-length articles involving male (4), female (11), and both genders (1) were included. Results Findings from studies that compared the cortisol level between infertile and fertile subjects indicate that (i) Male: three studies reported elevated cortisol level in infertile patients and one found no significant difference; (ii) Female: four studies reported increased cortisol level in infertile subjects and three studies found no significant difference. Findings from studies that measured the cortisol level from infertile patients that conceived and those that didn't indicate that (i) Male: one study reported no significant difference; (ii) Female: one study reported elevated cortisol in infertile patients that conceived, whereas two studies reported increased cortisol in infertile patients that was unable to conceive. Five studies found no significant difference between the groups. Discussion In the present review we only included the cortisol value that was measured prior to stimulation or IVF treatment or during natural or spontaneous cycles, despite this, there are still variations in the sampling period, assessment techniques and patients' characteristics. Hence, at present, we are still unable to conclude that cortisol is significantly elevated in infertile patients. We warrant future studies to standardize the time of biological sample collection and other limitations that were addressed in the review to negate the unwanted influencing factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bheena Vyshali Karunyam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Kadir Abdul Karim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Isa Naina Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azizah Ugusman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wael M. Y. Mohamed
- Basic Medical Science Department, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Mohd Faizal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Azrai Abu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Simor P, Peigneux P, Bódizs R. Sleep and dreaming in the light of reactive and predictive homeostasis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 147:105104. [PMID: 36804397 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Dreams are often viewed as fascinating but irrelevant mental epihenomena of the sleeping mind with questionable functional relevance. Despite long hours of oneiric activity, and high individual differences in dream recall, dreams are lost into oblivion. Here, we conceptualize dreaming and dream amnesia as inherent aspects of the reactive and predictive homeostatic functions of sleep. Mental activity during sleep conforms to the interplay of restorative processes and future anticipation, and particularly during the second half of the night, it unfolds as a special form of non-constrained, self-referent, and future-oriented cognitive process. Awakening facilitates constrained, goal-directed prospection that competes for shared neural resources with dream production and dream recall, and contributes to dream amnesia. We present the neurophysiological aspects of reactive and predictive homeostasis during sleep, highlighting the putative role of cortisol in predictive homeostasis and forgetting dreams. The theoretical and methodological aspects of our proposal are discussed in relation to the study of dreaming, dream recall, and sleep-related cognitive processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Péter Simor
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; UR2NF, Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit at CRCN - Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences and UNI - ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe Peigneux
- UR2NF, Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit at CRCN - Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences and UNI - ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Róbert Bódizs
- Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
The association between the cortisol and cortisone awakening responses. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 152:106075. [PMID: 36933271 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is often assessed in the saliva and considered to be representative of serum cortisol. However, free cortisol is rapidly converted into cortisone as it passes from the serum into the saliva. Because of this enzymatic conversion, the salivary cortisone awakening response (EAR) may be more closely related to serum cortisol dynamics than the salivary CAR. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to measure the EAR and CAR in saliva and compare it to the serum CAR. METHODS Male participants (n = 12) had an intravenous catheter placed for serial serum sampling and completed two overnight laboratory sessions, wherein participants slept in the laboratory and saliva and serum samples were collected every 15 min after volitional awakening the following morning. Serum was assayed for total cortisol and saliva for cortisol and cortisone. The CAR and EAR was assessed in saliva and the CAR in serum via mixed-effects growth models and common awakening response indices (area under the curve [AUC] relative to the ground [AUCG] and relative to the increase [AUCI], and change scores [Δ]). RESULTS There was a distinct rise in salivary cortisone following awakening demonstrating the presence of a discernable EAR (βQuadratic = -41.18, [95%CI = -68.90 to -13.46], p < 0.004, Conditional R2 = 0.641). Two EAR indices (AUCG: p < 0.001 and AUCI: p = 0.030) were associated with the corresponding serum CAR indices. CONCLUSION We demonstrate for the first time a distinct cortisone awakening response. The results suggest the EAR may be more closely related to serum cortisol dynamics during the post-awakening period, and thus, may be a biomarker of interest in addition to the CAR for assessing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning.
Collapse
|
19
|
Early life stress, depression and epigenetics. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 122:307-337. [PMID: 36863799 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Different factors are essential in increasing the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, such as genetics. Among these factors, early life stress (ELS), including sexual, physical, emotional abuse, and emotional and physical neglect, enhances the odds of having menial conditions throughout life. Exhaustive research has shown that ELS leads to physiological changes, such as alteration in the HPA axis. During the most critical development period (childhood and adolescence), these changes increase the risk of having child-onset psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, research has suggested a relationship between early life stress and depression, particularly more prolonged episodes of depression with treatment-resistant outcomes. Molecular studies indicate that, in general, the hereditary character of psychiatric disorders is polygenic, multifactorial and highly complex, with innumerable low-effect genetic variants interacting with each other. However, whether there are independent effects among subtypes of ELS remains unclear. This article provides an overview of the interplay of epigenetics, the HPA axis, early life stress and the development of depression. Advances in our knowledge of epigenetics in the context of early life stress and depression provide a new understanding of the genetic influence on psychopathology. Furthermore, they could lead to identifying new targets for clinical intervention.
Collapse
|
20
|
Moyers SA, Hagger MS. Physical Activity and Cortisol Regulation: A Meta-Analysis. Biol Psychol 2023; 179:108548. [PMID: 37001634 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity participation is associated with effective stress coping, indicated by decreases in both physiological stress reactivity and perceived stress. Quantifying the effect of physical activity on the diurnal regulation of one key physiological stress indicator, the stress hormone, cortisol, across studies may demonstrate the extent to which physical activity participation is associated with diurnal HPA axis regulation. We meta-analyzed studies examining relations between physical activity participation and indices of HPA axis regulation: the diurnal cortisol slope and the cortisol awakening response. We also examined moderators of the relation. The analysis revealed a small, non-zero negative averaged correlation between physical activity and the diurnal cortisol slope (r = -0.043, 95% CI [-0.080, -0.004]). Examination of sample sociodemographic differences, study design characteristics, cortisol measurement methods, and physical activity variables as moderators revealed few effects on the relation between physical activity and diurnal cortisol slope. We did not observe lower levels of variability in the mean cortisol awakening response at higher levels of physical activity participation, and moderator analyses showed little evidence of reductions in heterogeneity for this effect. We found some evidence of systematic publication bias. Findings suggest higher physical activity is associated with a steeper diurnal cortisol slope. However, the cortisol awakening response did not differ by physical activity level. Future studies testing the physical activity and cortisol regulation association should use standardized physical activity measures, follow guidelines for better quality cortisol sampling collection and analysis, and test relations in large-scale empirical studies to confirm the direction and causality of the effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susette A Moyers
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, USA; Center for Rural Health, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Martin S Hagger
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California, Merced, USA; Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, USA; Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland; School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Chihara I, Negoro H, Kono J, Nagumo Y, Tsuchiya H, Kojo K, Shiga M, Tanaka K, Kandori S, Mathis BJ, Nishiyama H. Glucocorticoids coordinate the bladder peripheral clock and diurnal micturition pattern in mice. Commun Biol 2023; 6:81. [PMID: 36681730 PMCID: PMC9867708 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04464-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral clocks function to regulate each organ and are synchronized though various molecular and behavioral signals. However, signals that entrain the bladder clock remain elusive. Here, we show that glucocorticoids are a key cue for the bladder clock in vitro and in vivo. A pBmal1-dLuc human urothelial cell-line showed significant shifts in gene expression after cortisol treatment. In vivo, rhythmic bladder clock gene expression was unchanged by bilateral adrenalectomy but shifted 4 h forward by corticosterone administration at the inactive phase. Moreover, the bladder clock shifted 8-12 h in mice that underwent both bilateral adrenalectomy and corticosterone administration at the inactive phase. These mice showed decreases in the diurnal rhythm of volume voided per micturition, while maintaining diurnal activity rhythms. These results indicate that the diurnal rhythm of glucocorticoid signaling is a zeitgeber that overcomes other bladder clock entrainment factors and coordinates the diurnal rhythm of volume voided per micturition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Chihara
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Negoro
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Jin Kono
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Nagumo
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Haruki Tsuchiya
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kojo
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masanobu Shiga
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ken Tanaka
- Department of Urology, Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shuya Kandori
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Bryan J Mathis
- International Medical Center, University of Tsukuba Affiliated Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nishiyama
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wong SD, Wright KP, Spencer RL, Vetter C, Hicks LM, Jenni OG, LeBourgeois MK. Development of the circadian system in early life: maternal and environmental factors. J Physiol Anthropol 2022; 41:22. [PMID: 35578354 PMCID: PMC9109407 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-022-00294-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, an adaptable internal biological system generates circadian rhythms that maintain synchronicity of behavior and physiology with the changing demands of the 24-h environment. Development of the circadian system begins in utero and continues throughout the first few years of life. Maturation of the clock can be measured through sleep/wake patterns and hormone secretion. Circadian rhythms, by definition, can persist in the absence of environmental input; however, their ability to adjust to external time cues is vital for adaptation and entrainment to the environment. The significance of these external factors that influence the emergence of a stable circadian clock in the first years of life remain poorly understood. Infants raised in our post-modern world face adverse external circadian signals, such as artificial light and mistimed hormonal cues via breast milk, which may increase interference with the physiological mechanisms that promote circadian synchronization. This review describes the very early developmental stages of the clock and common circadian misalignment scenarios that make the developing circadian system more susceptible to conflicting time cues and temporal disorder between the maternal, fetal, infant, and peripheral clocks.
Collapse
|
23
|
Stalder T, Lupien SJ, Kudielka BM, Adam EK, Pruessner JC, Wüst S, Dockray S, Smyth N, Evans P, Kirschbaum C, Miller R, Wetherell MA, Finke JB, Klucken T, Clow A. Evaluation and update of the expert consensus guidelines for the assessment of the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 146:105946. [PMID: 36252387 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is frequently assessed in psychobiological (stress) research. Obtaining reliable CAR data, however, requires careful attention to methodological detail. To promote best practice, expert consensus guidelines on the assessment of the CAR were published (Stalder et al., 2016, PNEC). However, it is unclear whether these highly cited guidelines have resulted in actual methodological improvements. To explore this, the PNEC editorial board invited the present authors to conduct a critical evaluation and update of current CAR methodology, which is reported here. (i) A quantitative evaluation of methodological quality of CAR research published in PNEC before and after the guidelines (2013-2015 vs. 2018-2020) was conducted. Disappointingly, results reveal little improvement in the implementation of central recommendations (especially objective time verification) in recent research. (ii) To enable an update of guidelines, evidence on recent developments in CAR assessment is reviewed, which mostly confirms the accuracy of the majority of the original guidelines. Moreover, recent technological advances, particularly regarding methods for the verification of awakening and sampling times, have emerged and may help to reduce costs in future research. (iii) To aid researchers and increase accessibility, an updated and streamlined version of the CAR consensus guidelines is presented. (iv) Finally, the response of the PNEC editorial board to the present results is described: potential authors of future CAR research to be published in PNEC will be required to submit a methodological checklist (based on the current guidelines) alongside their article. This will increase transparency and enable reviewers to readily assess the quality of the respective CAR data. Combined, it is hoped that these steps will assist researchers and reviewers in assuring higher quality CAR assessments in future research, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance this field of study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Stalder
- Department of Psychology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.
| | - Sonia J Lupien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Emma K Adam
- School of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Wüst
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Samantha Dockray
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Nina Smyth
- Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Phil Evans
- Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | | | - Robert Miller
- Department of Psychology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Tim Klucken
- Department of Psychology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Angela Clow
- Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Scarinci F, Patacchioli FR, Costanzo E, Parravano M. Cortisol awake response imbalance as an indicator of acute central serous chorioretinopathy: Relationship with choriocapillaris and choroidal features. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1030352. [DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1030352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of the present study was to measure in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) the salivary cortisol awake response (CAR) delta percentage (Δ%) variation, a distinct and robust indicator of cortisol rhythm during wakefulness, commonly proposed as a marker of hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity, whose alteration is frequently associated with several adverse health outcomes.MethodsIn the present cross-sectional observational study, salivary CAR Δ% variation was assessed in 17 adult male subjects affected by acute naïve CSC and compared to 17 matched healthy controls. Choroid vasculature metrics were assessed in the study population by measuring the subfoveal choroidal thickness (FCT) and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) by the imaging technique of enhanced-depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SD-OCT). Furthermore, flow signal void area features of the choriocapillaris were evaluated in the study population using OCT angiography (OCTA).ResultsBoth the control and CSC groups showed a physiological cortisol increase that occurred during the first 30 min after awaking. However, CSC adult male patients showed remarkably blunted CAR Δ% variation in comparison with controls, which might reflect a CSC-related imbalance of HPA axis activity. Statistically significant correlations were shown by Pearson’s correlation test between salivary CAR Δ% and the selected choroidal and choriocapillaris imaging biomarkers (FCT, CVI, and flow signal void area) in the study population.ConclusionIn conclusion, alterations of the CAR Δ% increase, associated with choroidal-retinal metrics, might provide a window into the physiopathology of acute CSC, suggesting a possible common factor to explain the association between stress and CSC.
Collapse
|
25
|
Mild to Moderate Sleep Restriction Does Not Affect the Cortisol Awakening Response in Healthy Adult Males. Clocks Sleep 2022; 4:722-734. [PMID: 36547105 PMCID: PMC9776856 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep4040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is a distinct rise in cortisol that occurs upon awakening that is thought to contribute to arousal, energy boosting, and anticipation. There is some evidence to suggest that inadequate sleep may alter the CAR, but the relationship between sleep duration and CAR has not been systematically examined. Healthy males (n = 111; age: 23.0 ± 3.6 yrs) spent 10 consecutive days/nights in a sleep laboratory. After a baseline night (9 h time in bed), participants spent either 5 h (n = 19), 6 h (n = 23), 7 h (n = 16), 8 h (n = 27), or 9 h (n = 26) in bed for seven nights, followed by a 9 h recovery sleep. The saliva samples for cortisol assay were collected at 08:00 h, 08:30 h and 08:45 h at baseline, on experimental days 2 and 5 and on the recovery day. The primary dependent variables were the cortisol concentration at awakening (08:00 h) and the cortisol area under the curve (AUC). There was no effect of time in bed on either the cortisol concentration at awakening or cortisol AUC. In all the time in bed conditions, the cortisol AUC tended to be higher at baseline and lower on experimental day 5. Five consecutive nights of mild to moderate sleep restriction does not appear to affect the CAR in healthy male adults.
Collapse
|
26
|
Bowles NP, Thosar SS, Butler MP, Clemons NA, Robinson LD, Ordaz OH, Herzig MX, McHill AW, Rice SPM, Emens J, Shea SA. The circadian system modulates the cortisol awakening response in humans. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:995452. [PMID: 36408390 PMCID: PMC9669756 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.995452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In humans, circulating cortisol usually peaks 30–60 min after awakening from nocturnal sleep, this is commonly referred to as the cortisol awakening response (CAR). We examined the extent to which the CAR is influenced by the circadian system, independent of behaviors including sleep. Materials and methods We examined the CAR in 34 adults (20 female) using two complementary multiday in-laboratory circadian protocols performed in dim light, throughout which behavioral factors were uniformly distributed across the 24-hour circadian cycle. Protocol 1 consisted of 10 identical consecutive 5-hour 20-minute sleep/wake cycles, and protocol 2 consisted of 5 identical consecutive 18-hour sleep/wake cycles. Salivary melatonin was used as the circadian phase marker (0° = dim light melatonin onset). During each sleep/wake cycle, salivary cortisol was measured upon scheduled awakening and 50-minutes later, with the change in cortisol defined as the CAR. Cosinor analyses were used to detect any significant circadian rhythmicity in the CAR. In secondary analyses, we adjusted the models for time awake before lights on, total sleep time, percent of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and percent of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Results Both protocols revealed a similar circadian rhythm in the CAR, with peaks occurring at a circadian phase corresponding to 3:40–3:45 a.m., with no detectable CAR during the circadian phases corresponding to the afternoon. In addition to the sinusoidal component of the circadian rhythm, total sleep time was also associated with the CAR for protocol 1. The percent of sleep spent in REM or NREM sleep were not associated with the CAR in either protocol. Conclusion Our results show that the CAR exhibits a robust circadian rhythm that persists even after adjusting for prior sleep. Presuming that the CAR optimizes physiological responses to the anticipated stressors related to awakening, these findings may have implications for shift workers who wake up at unusual circadian phases. A blunted CAR in shift workers upon awakening in the evening may result in diminished responses to stressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole P. Bowles
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- *Correspondence: Nicole P. Bowles,
| | - Saurabh S. Thosar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Matthew P. Butler
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Noal A. Clemons
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - LaTroy D. Robinson
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Omar H. Ordaz
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Maya X. Herzig
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Andrew W. McHill
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Sean P. M. Rice
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jonathan Emens
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Steven A. Shea
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Zhu X, Zhu Y, Huang J, Zhou Y, Tong J, Zhang P, Luo X, Chen S, Tian B, Tan S, Wang Z, Han X, Tian L, Li CSR, Hong LE, Tan Y. Abnormal cortisol profile during psychosocial stress among patients with schizophrenia in a Chinese population. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18591. [PMID: 36329219 PMCID: PMC9633605 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20808-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction might play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to explore the cortisol response to psychological stress in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, patients with schizophrenia (n = 104) and healthy volunteers (n = 59) were asked to complete psychological stress challenge tasks, which included the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task and Mirror-Tracing Persistence Task, and pre- and post-task saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol levels. Emotions and psychopathology were assessed by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The results showed (1) that the cortisol response and negative emotions in patients with schizophrenia differed significantly from those in healthy volunteers, (2) there were significant interactions between the sampling time and diagnosis for saliva cortisol levels, (3) there were significant interactions between the scoring time and diagnosis for the negative affect score of the PANAS, and (4) the changes in salivary cortisol levels and negative affect scores before and after the psychological stress challenge tasks were not correlated with clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. These findings indicated an abnormal cortisol profile in patients with schizophrenia, which might be a biological characteristic of the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhu
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Junchao Huang
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfang Zhou
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghui Tong
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingguang Luo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Song Chen
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Baopeng Tian
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuping Tan
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiren Wang
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaole Han
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Chiang-Shan R Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - L Elliot Hong
- Department of Psychiatry, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Yunlong Tan
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Petrowski K, Schmalbach B, Linhardt M, Mekschrat L, Rohleder N. The inflammatory immune system after wake up in healthy male individuals: A highly standardized and controlled study. Brain Behav Immun Health 2022; 25:100504. [PMID: 36093437 PMCID: PMC9450065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2022.100504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of two light conditions on innate proinflammatory IL-6 cytokines and the cortisol awakening response. The between-subject experiment was conducted with 55 healthy adult-males (aged Mbright = 24.40, SD = 4.58; Mdim = 25.47, SD = 4.96) in a standardized sleep laboratory setting with 60-min light exposure post-awakening. Cortisol significantly increased with bright light exposure as compared to dim light (significant interaction effect). As for IL-6, the main effects of time and light condition were significant, however, the interaction effect between light and time was insignificant. Results replicate stimulatory effects of bright light on cortisol. In general, IL-6 concentrations decreased in both light conditions; however, bright light graphically showed higher concentrations 45–90 min after exposure in comparison to dim light, thus bright light has a potential stimulatory effect on IL-6 production.
Collapse
|
29
|
Wang H, Zhang S, Wu S, Qin S, Liu C. Cortisol awakening response and testosterone jointly affect adolescents' theory of mind. Horm Behav 2022; 146:105258. [PMID: 36116196 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105258] [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: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for the maturation of neurobiological processes and hormone secretion. Recent studies on the dual-hormone hypothesis have indicated that basal cortisol and testosterone jointly affect dominant and aggressive behavior among adolescents and adults. Whether this hypothesis applies to prosocial-related understanding of others' mental states remains unclear. The present study investigated associations between basal testosterone, basal cortisol (and cortisol awakening response [CAR]), and the cognitive/affective theory of mind (ToM) in 243 adolescents (67.9 % male, aged 14 to 17 years, Mage = 16.09, standard deviation = 0.62). Cognitive ToM (cToM) and affective ToM (aToM) were assessed with a cartoon story reasoning task: In the cToM condition, participants viewed a comic strip story and needed to predict what would happen based on a character's intentions, and in the aToM condition, they viewed a comic strip of two characters interacting and needed to think about what would make the protagonist feel better. The results showed that basal testosterone and basal cortisol did not interact with each other to affect the performance of ToM, either in terms of ToM accuracy or response speed. However, under the condition of low CAR, testosterone is associated with the fast performance of cToM, although the interaction of testosterone and CAR occurred only in female adolescents. Overall, our data provide new evidence for the dual-hormone hypothesis and further extend the hypothesis to social understanding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huagen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Sihui Zhang
- Department of General Adult Psychiatry, Heidelberg University, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Shaozheng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China.
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Center for Collaboration and Innovation in Brain and Learning Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
The association between genetic variability in the NPS/NPSR1 system and chronic stress responses: A gene-environment-(quasi-) experiment. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 144:105883. [PMID: 35914393 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor (NPSR1) have been implicated in stress regulation and stress-related disorders. The present study aimed at investigating the association between overall genetic variability in the NPS/NPSR1 system and psychological and cortisol stress regulation in everyday life. Our study was conceptualized as a gene-environment-(quasi-) experiment, a design that facilitates the detection of true GxE interactions. As environmental variable, we used the preparation for the first state examination for law students. In the prospective and longitudinal LawSTRESS project, students were examined at six sampling points over a 13-months period. While students who prepared for the exam and experienced long-lasting and significant stress, formed the stress group, law students experiencing usual study-related workload were assigned to the control group. As phenotypes we assessed changes over time in the cortisol awakening response (CAR; n = 176), perceived stress levels (n = 401), and anxiety symptoms (n = 397). The CAR was assessed at each sampling point immediately upon awakening and 30 as well as 45 min later. Perceived stress levels in daily life were measured by repeated ambulatory assessments and anxiety symptoms were repeatedly assessed with the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. With gene-set analyses we examined the joint association of 936 NPS/NPSR1 single nucleotide polymorphisms with the phenotypes to overcome well known limitations of candidate gene studies. As previously reported, we found a blunted CAR during the exam as well as significant increases in perceived stress levels and anxiety symptoms until the exam in the stress group, compared to the control group. The gene-set analysis did not confirm associations between genetic variability in the NPS/NPSR1 system and changes in perceived stress levels and anxiety symptoms. Regarding the CAR, we found a significant GxE interaction for the area under the curve with respect to the ground (p = .050) and a trend towards a significant effect for the area under the curve with respect to the increase (p = .054). When the analysis was restricted to the SG, associations for both CAR parameters were significant (ps < .050). This finding suggests that the association between genetic variability in the NPS/NPSR1 system and the CAR becomes visible under the environmental condition 'chronic stress exposure'. We conclude that the present study complements findings from animal models and that it provides novel evidence for a modulatory influence of the NPS/NPSR1 system on cortisol regulation in humans.
Collapse
|
31
|
Mattingly SM, Martinez G, Young J, Cain MK, Striegel A. Snoozing: an examination of a common method of waking. Sleep 2022; 45:6661272. [PMID: 35951011 PMCID: PMC9548674 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Study Objectives Snoozing was defined as using multiple alarms to accomplish waking, and considered as a method of sleep inertia reduction that utilizes the stress system. Surveys measured snoozing behavior including who, when, how, and why snoozing occurs. In addition, the physiological effects of snoozing on sleep were examined via wearable sleep staging and heart rate (HR) activity, both over a long time scale, and on the days that it occurs. We aimed to establish snoozing as a construct in need of additional study. Methods A novel survey examined snoozing prevalence, how snoozing was accomplished, and explored possible contributors and motivators of snoozing behavior in 450 participants. Trait- and day-level surveys were combined with wearable data to determine if snoozers sleep differently than nonsnoozers, and how snoozers and nonsnoozers differ in other areas, such as personality. Results 57% of participants snoozed. Being female, younger, having fewer steps, having lower conscientiousness, having more disturbed sleep, and being a more evening chronotype increased the likelihood of being a snoozer. Snoozers had elevated resting HR and showed lighter sleep before waking. Snoozers did not sleep less than nonsnoozers nor did they feel more sleepiness or nap more often. Conclusions Snoozing is a common behavior associated with changes in sleep physiology before waking, both in a trait- and state-dependent manner, and is influenced by demographic and behavioral traits. Additional research is needed, especially in detailing the physiology of snoozing, its impact on health, and its interactions with observational studies of sleep.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Mattingly
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, IN , USA
| | - Gonzalo Martinez
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, IN , USA
| | - Jessica Young
- Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, IN , USA
| | | | - Aaron Striegel
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, IN , USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Md Isa Z, Ismail NH, Ismail R, Mohd Tamil A, Ja’afar MH, Mat Nasir N, Miskan M, Zainol Abidin N, Ab Razak NH, Yusof KH. Assessing Factors Associated with Non-Fatal Injuries from Road Traffic Accidents among Malaysian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the PURE Malaysia Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148246. [PMID: 35886098 PMCID: PMC9320634 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Non-fatal injuries (NFIs) due to road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a public health problem worldwide that significantly impacts the population morbidity and healthcare costs. As the demands for vehicles in developing countries, such as Malaysia, is increasing annually, the present study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with NFIs due to RTAs among Malaysia’s adult population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 15,321 participants from the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study conducted in Malaysia. Participants reported whether they had experienced an NFI that limited their normal activities within the past 12 months. Data on risk factors for NFIs were elicited. Multiple logistic regression models were fitted to identify the associated factors. Results: Overall, 863 participants (5.6% of 15,321) reported at least 1 NFI in the past 12 months, with 303 caused by RTAs (35.1%), 270 caused by falls (31.3%) and 290 attributed to other causes (33.6%). The factors associated with higher odds of sustaining an NFI due to an RTA were being male (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) 2.08; 95% CI 1.33–3.26), having a primary (2.52; 1.40–4.55) or secondary (2.64; 1.55–4.49) level of education, being overweight to obese (1.40; 1.01–1.94), being currently employed (2.03; 1.31–3.13) and not practicing a noon nap/siesta (1.38; 1.01–1.89). Conclusions: The occurrence of NFIs due to RTAs is highly preventable with strategic planning aimed at reducing the risk of RTAs among the Malaysian population. Interventions focusing on protecting road users, especially those who drive two-wheelers, with proactive road safety awareness and literacy campaigns, combined with strict enforcement of the existing traffic laws and behavioural modifications, may reduce the risk of NFIs following RTAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaleha Md Isa
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| | - Noor Hassim Ismail
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3-9145-8408
| | - Rosnah Ismail
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| | - Azmi Mohd Tamil
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| | - Mohd Hasni Ja’afar
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| | - Nafiza Mat Nasir
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor Branch, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Maizatullifah Miskan
- Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia;
| | - Najihah Zainol Abidin
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| | - Nurul Hafiza Ab Razak
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| | - Khairul Hazdi Yusof
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (Z.M.I.); (R.I.); (A.M.T.); (M.H.J.); (N.Z.A.); (N.H.A.R.); (K.H.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Giglberger M, Peter HL, Kraus E, Kreuzpointner L, Zänkert S, Henze GI, Bärtl C, Konzok J, Kirsch P, Rietschel M, Kudielka BM, Wüst S. Daily life stress and the cortisol awakening response over a 13-months stress period - Findings from the LawSTRESS project. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 141:105771. [PMID: 35489313 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The LawSTRESS project is a controlled prospective-longitudinal study on psychological, endocrine, central nervous and genetic predictors of responses to long-lasting academic stress in a homogenous cohort. In this first project report, we focused on the association between daily life stress and the cortisol awakening response (CAR). The CAR, a distinct cortisol rise in the first 30-45 min after morning awakening, is a well-established marker of cortisol regulation in psychoneuroendocrinology. Law students from Bavarian universities (total n = 452) have been studied over a 13-months period at six sampling points starting 12 months prior exam. The stress group (SG) consisted of students experiencing a long-lasting and significant stress period, namely the preparation for the first state examination for law students. Law students assigned to the control group (CG) were studied over an equally long period without particular and sustained stress exposure. To investigate stress related alterations in the CAR, we examined a subsample of the LawSTRESS project consisting of 204 students with 97 participants from the SG (69.1% female, mean age = 22.84 ± 1.82) and 107 from the CG (78.5% female, mean age = 20.95 ± 1.93). At each sampling point, saliva samples for cortisol assessment were collected immediately upon awakening and 30 as well as 45 min later. Perceived stress in daily life was measured by repeated ambulatory assessments (about 100 queries over six sampling points). The time course of perceived stress levels in the two groups differed significantly, with the SG showing an increase in perceived stress until the exam and a decrease thereafter. Stress levels in the CG were relatively stable. The CAR was not significantly different between groups at baseline. However, a blunted CAR in the SG compared to the baseline measure and to the CG developed over the measurement timepoints and reached significance during the exam. Remarkably, this effect was neither associated with the increase in perceived stress nor with anxiety and depression symptoms, test anxiety and chronic stress at baseline. The present study successfully assessed multidimensional stress trajectories over 13 months and it documented the significant burden, law students preparing for the first state examination are exposed to. This period was related to a blunted CAR with presumed physiological consequences (e.g., on energy metabolism and immune function). Mean psychological stress levels as well as the CAR returned to baseline levels after the exam, suggesting a fast recovery in the majority of the participants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Giglberger
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Hannah L Peter
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kraus
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Sport Science, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Sandra Zänkert
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Bärtl
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julian Konzok
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Kirsch
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Wüst
- Department of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Carnell S, Papantoni A, Grillot CL, Ungredda T, Ellis S, Mehta N, Holst JJ, Geliebter A. Time of day differences in appetite and gut hormone responses to meal and stress challenges in adults with normal-weight and obesity. Physiol Behav 2022; 254:113890. [PMID: 35750246 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND . Lifestyle factors like time of eating and stress exposure may impact physiology to promote excess weight gain. To understand behavioral and physiological mechanisms underlying these potential effects, we compared appetite and gut hormone responses to a series of meal and stress challenges beginning in the morning and the afternoon, in adults with normal-weight and obesity. METHOD . Thirty-two adults (16 with normal-weight, 16 with obesity) underwent the same test protocol on different days, each following an 8 h fast. On one day the protocol began in the morning (AM condition); on the other day it began in the late afternoon (PM condition). On each day they first received a standardized liquid meal (9:00am/4:00pm), then a stress test (Socially-Evaluated Cold Pressor Test, 11:10am/6:10pm), then an ad libitum buffet meal (11:40am/6:40pm). Appetite and stress ratings were obtained, and blood was drawn for measures of ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1, insulin, glucose, cortisol and leptin. Acetaminophen was administered as a tracer to assess gastric emptying of the liquid meal. RESULTS . Across all three challenges, AUC cortisol was lower in the PM vs. AM condition (all p<.001), and AUC insulin and leptin were higher in the obesity vs. normal-weight group (all p<.001). For the standardized liquid meal only, AUC hunger, desire to eat and ghrelin were greater in the PM vs. AM condition (all p<0.05), and AUC ghrelin was lower in the obesity vs. normal-weight group, even when controlling for baseline values (p<0.05). AUC glucose was higher in the evening for the normal-weight group only (condition x group interaction p<0.05). Post-liquid meal gastric emptying as indexed by AUC acetaminophen was slower in the PM vs. AM (p<.01). For the stress test, AUC cortisol was lower in the PM than the AM condition even when controlling for baseline values (p<.05). AUC leptin was lower in the evening in the obesity group only (condition x group interaction p<0.01). PYY showed an acute decrease post-stressor in the normal-weight but not the obesity group (p<.05). Post-stress ad libitum buffet meal intake was similar in the evening and morning conditions, and higher in the obesity group (p<0.05). Only among the obesity group in the evening condition, higher stressor-associated stress ratings were associated with lesser fullness in relation to the buffet meal (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS . Normal-weight individuals and those with obesity may be at risk of evening overeating as a result of differential appetite and gut hormone responses following meal intake and stress exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Carnell
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
| | - Afroditi Papantoni
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 310 South Road Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
| | - Charlotte L Grillot
- Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Tatiana Ungredda
- Mt Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Stephanie Ellis
- Mt Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nandini Mehta
- Mt Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jens J Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørregade 10, 1165, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Allan Geliebter
- Mt Sinai St. Luke's Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychology, Touro College and University System, 320 W 31st St, New York, NY 10001, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Babilon S, Myland P, Klabes J, Simon J, Khanh TQ. Study protocol for measuring the impact of (quasi-)monochromatic light on post-awakening cortisol secretion under controlled laboratory conditions. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267659. [PMID: 35584105 PMCID: PMC9116651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortisol secretion has a fundamental role in human circadian regulation. The cortisol awakening response (CAR) can be observed as a daily recurring sharp increase in cortisol concentration within the first hour after awakening and is influenced by environmental light conditions. The current work provides the study protocol for an ongoing research project that is intended to explore the spectral dependencies and to discuss measures of emotional state and cognitive functioning potentially related to the CAR. Based on a controlled within-subjects sleep laboratory study, the impact of a two-hour, (quasi-)monochromatic, post-awakening light exposure of different peak wavelength (applied from 6:00 to 8:00 am) on resulting CAR levels should be investigated in a systematic manner to eventually derive a corresponding spectral sensitivity model. As a secondary outcome, it should be explored whether a potentially light-enhanced cortisol secretion might also impact different measures of sleepiness, mood, and vigilance for certain wavelengths. The study protocol described in the present work discusses the various protocol steps using pilot data collected for two different wavelength settings (i.e., short-wavelength blue-light at λmax = 476 nm and long-wavelength red-light at λmax = 649 nm) experienced by a group of four healthy male adults at an average ± SD age of 25.25 ± 3.59 years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Babilon
- Laboratory of Lighting Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Light and Health Research Center, Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Paul Myland
- Laboratory of Lighting Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julian Klabes
- Laboratory of Lighting Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Joel Simon
- Laboratory of Lighting Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Tran Quoc Khanh
- Laboratory of Lighting Technology, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Olsson Mägi CA, Wik Despriee Å, Småstuen MC, Almqvist C, Bahram F, Bakkeheim E, Bjerg A, Glavin K, Granum B, Haugen G, Hedlin G, Jonassen CM, Lødrup Carlsen KC, Rehbinder EM, Rolfsjord LB, Staff AC, Skjerven HO, Vettukattil R, Nordlund B, Söderhäll C. Maternal Stress, Early Life Factors and Infant Salivary Cortisol Levels. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9050623. [PMID: 35626800 PMCID: PMC9139396 DOI: 10.3390/children9050623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background: Salivary cortisol (SC), a commonly used biomarker for stress, may be disrupted by negative events in pregnancy, at birth and in infancy. We aimed to explore if maternal perceived stress (PSS) in or after pregnancy and SC levels in pregnancy were associated with SC in early infancy, and, secondly, to identify early life factors associated with infants’ SC levels (iSC). Methods: At 3 months of age, SC was analyzed in 1057 infants participating in a Nordic prospective mother-child birth cohort study. Maternal PSS was available from questionnaires at 18- and 34-week gestational age (GA) and 3-month post-partum, and SC was analyzed at 18-week GA. Early life factors included sociodemographic and infant feeding from questionnaires, and birth data from medical charts. Associations to iSC were analyzed by Spearman correlation and multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: In this exploratory study neither PSS at any time point nor maternal SC (mSC) were associated with iSC. Higher birth weight was associated with higher levels of iSC, while inverse associations were observed in infants to a mother not living with a partner and mixed bottle/breastfeeding. Conclusions: Maternal stress was not associated with iSC levels, while birth weight, single motherhood and infant feeding may influence iSC levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline-Aleksi Olsson Mägi
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.B.); (G.H.); (B.N.); (C.S.)
- Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
| | - Åshild Wik Despriee
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (Å.W.D.); (G.H.); (K.C.L.C.); (A.C.S.); (H.O.S.); (R.V.)
- Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (M.C.S.); (K.G.)
| | | | - Catarina Almqvist
- Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fuad Bahram
- Research Centre, Stockholm South General Hospital, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Egil Bakkeheim
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (E.B.); (L.-B.R.)
| | - Anders Bjerg
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.B.); (G.H.); (B.N.); (C.S.)
- Martina Children’s Hospital, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kari Glavin
- Faculty of Health, VID Specialized University, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (M.C.S.); (K.G.)
| | - Berit Granum
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Guttorm Haugen
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (Å.W.D.); (G.H.); (K.C.L.C.); (A.C.S.); (H.O.S.); (R.V.)
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gunilla Hedlin
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.B.); (G.H.); (B.N.); (C.S.)
- Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Christine Monceyron Jonassen
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1430 Ås, Norway;
- Genetic Unit, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, Østfold Hospital Trust, NO-1714 Kalnes, Norway
| | - Karin C. Lødrup Carlsen
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (Å.W.D.); (G.H.); (K.C.L.C.); (A.C.S.); (H.O.S.); (R.V.)
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (E.B.); (L.-B.R.)
| | - Eva Maria Rehbinder
- Department of Dermatology and Vaenerology, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Leif-Bjarte Rolfsjord
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (E.B.); (L.-B.R.)
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine Elverum, Innlandet Hospital Trust, NO-2381 Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Anne Cathrine Staff
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (Å.W.D.); (G.H.); (K.C.L.C.); (A.C.S.); (H.O.S.); (R.V.)
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Håvard Ove Skjerven
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (Å.W.D.); (G.H.); (K.C.L.C.); (A.C.S.); (H.O.S.); (R.V.)
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (E.B.); (L.-B.R.)
| | - Riyas Vettukattil
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (Å.W.D.); (G.H.); (K.C.L.C.); (A.C.S.); (H.O.S.); (R.V.)
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; (E.B.); (L.-B.R.)
| | - Björn Nordlund
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.B.); (G.H.); (B.N.); (C.S.)
- Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Cilla Söderhäll
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.B.); (G.H.); (B.N.); (C.S.)
- Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ji D, Flouri E, Papachristou E, Francesconi M. Childhood Trajectories of Hyperactivity/Inattention Symptoms and Diurnal Cortisol in Middle Adolescence: Results from a UK Birth Cohort. J Atten Disord 2022; 26:809-821. [PMID: 34378439 PMCID: PMC8859655 DOI: 10.1177/10870547211036755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show hypoactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Whether the association between hyperactivity/inattention symptoms with HPA axis dysfunction holds in the general child population too is not clear. METHOD We assessed associations between longitudinal trajectories of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms during ages 4 to 13 years and basal cortisol profiles at age 15 in a British general population cohort. RESULTS Adolescents with persistently high levels of hyperactivity/inattention symptoms since childhood showed lower total morning cortisol and a smaller diurnal decline, even after adjusting for confounders. No associations were found between any of the symptom trajectories and cortisol awakening response, diurnal slope or daily output of cortisol. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence for hypocortisolism among adolescents with chronic hyperactivity/inattention symptoms in the general population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Ji
- UCL Institute of Education, London, UK,Dongying Ji, Department of Psychology and Human Development, UCL Institute of Education, 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UK.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Lisanti AJ, Demianczyk A, Vogiatzi MG, Quinn R, Chittams J, Hoffman R, Medoff-Cooper B. The Associations of Psychologic and Physiologic Manifestations of Parental Stress in Critical Congenital Heart Disease. Biol Res Nurs 2022; 24:316-326. [DOI: 10.1177/10998004221077136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The primary objective of this exploratory, feasibility study was to examine the relationships of self-reported perceived stressors and psychological stress responses with measures of the biomarker cortisol in parents of infants hospitalized after neonatal cardiac surgery for critical congenital heart disease (cCHD). Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study of 28 biological mother–father dyads of neonates with cCHD using consecutive enrollment. In the postoperative period after neonatal cardiac surgery, parents provided awakening and diurnal saliva samples and self-report measures on stress, anxiety, depression, dyadic adjustment, and perceived severity of illness of their neonate. Results: Evaluable data, including salivary cortisol samples, were obtained for 27 of the 28 dyads enrolled in the study. Compared to fathers, mothers exhibited significantly higher mean cortisol values at wakeup ( p = .032), 30-minute post-wakeup ( p = .024), and bedtime ( p = .010) timepoints. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were both significant predictors of awakening cortisol measures. Depressive symptoms were also a predictor of diurnal cortisol ( p < .05). Stress arising from infant appearance and behavior was found to significantly predict cortisol awakening response ( p = .0403). Conclusions: Findings suggest that cortisol may be an important biomarker in the examination of parent stress in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU), serving as a foundation for future study in this area. Furthermore, we have provided preliminary evidence of feasibility of including saliva collection in studies of highly stressed parents in a challenging environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Jo Lisanti
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abigail Demianczyk
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria G. Vogiatzi
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ryan Quinn
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jesse Chittams
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Hoffman
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Villegas E, Hartsock MJ, Aben BL, Lenahan KN, Hernández TD, Spencer RL. ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ALTERED CORTISOL PROFILES AND NEUROBEHAVIORAL IMPAIRMENT FOLLOWING mTBI IN COLLEGE STUDENTS. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:809-820. [PMID: 35196881 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is the most common form of TBI, accounting for over 2.5 million TBI cases in the United States annually. Identification of easily obtainable biomarkers that track strongly with mTBI symptoms may improve our understanding of biological factors that contribute to mTBI symptom profiles and long-term outcomes. Notably, some individuals with mTBI exhibit circadian disruptions and elevated stress sensitivity, which in other clinical groups often correlate with disrupted secretion of cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone that coordinates circadian and stress physiology. Here, we sought to determine whether cortisol profiles could serve as a biomarker to complement the assessment of neurobehavioral sequelae following mTBI. We partnered with our on-campus health clinic to recruit college students seeking medical care following mTBI (n=46) and compared this population to a well-matched non-injured student control group (n=44). We collected data at an initial visit (shortly after injury in mTBI subjects) and one week later. At each visit, we evaluated neurobehavioral function using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM). Our subjects then provided cortisol samples through at-home saliva collection. We observed strong coherence between ANAM subjective and objective measures, indicating significant multidimensional impairment in those with mTBI. Further, female mTBI subjects exhibited diminished neurobehavioral function compared to males. Regardless of sex, decreased amplitude of diurnal cortisol and a blunted cortisol awakening response predicted mTBI symptom severity and neurobehavioral impairment. Taken together, these findings suggest that salivary cortisol profiles may be a sensitive biomarker for studying underlying biological factors that impact mTBI outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Villegas
- University of Colorado Boulder, 1877, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, Colorado, United States;
| | - Matthew J Hartsock
- University of Colorado Boulder, 1877, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, Colorado, United States;
| | - Bo Llg Aben
- University of Colorado Boulder, 1877, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, Colorado, United States;
| | - Kristen Nicole Lenahan
- University of Colorado Boulder, 1877, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, Colorado, United States;
| | - Theresa Dea Hernández
- University of Colorado Boulder, 1877, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, Colorado, United States;
| | - Robert L Spencer
- University of Colorado Boulder, 1877, Psychology and Neuroscience, Boulder, Colorado, United States;
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Benthem de Grave R, Hasselman F, Bijleveld E. From work stress to disease: A computational model. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263966. [PMID: 35171964 PMCID: PMC8849534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In modern society, work stress is highly prevalent. Problematically, work stress can cause disease. To help understand the causal relationship between work stress and disease, we present a computational model of this relationship. That is, drawing from allostatic load theory, we captured the link between work stress and disease in a set of mathematical formulas. With simulation studies, we then examined our model’s ability to reproduce key findings from previous empirical research. Specifically, results from Study 1 suggested that our model could accurately reproduce established findings on daily fluctuations in cortisol levels (both on the group level and the individual level). Results from Study 2 suggested that our model could accurately reproduce established findings on the relationship between work stress and cardiovascular disease. Finally, results from Study 3 yielded new predictions about the relationship between workweek configurations (i.e., how working hours are distributed over days) and the subsequent development of disease. Together, our studies suggest a new, computational approach to studying the causal link between work stress and disease. We suggest that this approach is fruitful, as it aids the development of falsifiable theory, and as it opens up new ways of generating predictions about why and when work stress is (un)healthy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fred Hasselman
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Bijleveld
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Koudela-Hamila S, Santangelo PS, Ebner-Priemer UW, Schlotz W. Under Which Circumstances Does Academic Workload Lead to Stress? J PSYCHOPHYSIOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Academic stress is associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes, including detrimental effects on mental health, achievement, and well-being. Numerous studies have shown an association between the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and various health and risk factors. Some studies revealed a protective function of the CAR as a stress buffer preventing the stress system from overshooting. We investigated the moderating effect of the CAR on the within-subject association between academic workload and academic stress in participants’ daily lives using ambulatory assessment. We assessed 77 undergraduate university participants for 2 days at the beginning of the semester and approximately 3 months later, individually starting one week before an exam. Participants provided academic stress and academic workload ratings hourly during their waking time using smartphone-based e-diaries and salivary cortisol samples at awakening as well as 30, 45, and 60 min later on two consecutive days during each of the assessment waves. Average within-subject associations between academic workload and academic stress were analyzed using multilevel models. Interactions with indicators of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) were included to test moderating effects of the CAR on the workload-stress associations. There was a significant positive within-subject association between academic workload and academic stress. Significant cross-level interactions showed a moderating effect of the CAR on this association. The results point out the importance of the CAR in the regulation of the workload-stress associations in academic life and underscore the relevance of investigating the influence of specific stressor-dependent reciprocal effects of the CAR on learning and experienced stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Koudela-Hamila
- Department of Applied Psychology, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Philip S. Santangelo
- Department of Applied Psychology, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ulrich W. Ebner-Priemer
- Department of Applied Psychology, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Wolff Schlotz
- Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Laufer S, Engel S, Lupien S, Knaevelsrud C, Schumacher S. The Cortisol Assessment List (CoAL) A tool to systematically document and evaluate cortisol assessment in blood, urine and saliva. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 9:100108. [PMID: 35755928 PMCID: PMC9216417 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
|
43
|
Anand C, Hengst K, Gellner R, Englert H. Eight Weeks of Lifestyle Change: What are the Effects of the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme (Cohort 1) on Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and Perceived Stress? CHRONIC STRESS 2022; 6:24705470221099206. [PMID: 36187212 PMCID: PMC9523833 DOI: 10.1177/24705470221099206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: Stress and cortisol dysregulation are linked to NCDs. Moreover, stress favours unhealthy lifestyle patterns, which increase the risk for NCDs. The role of the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and the effect of lifestyle interventions on the same remain unclear. Methods: The impact of the intensive 8-week phase of the Healthy Lifestyle Community Programme (HLCP, cohort 1) on parameters of the CAR, ie cortisol values 0 (sample [S]1), 30), 45 and 60 minutes post-awakening, average peak, S1-peak delta and area under the increase curve (AUCI), and perceived stress levels (PSL) was evaluated in a non-randomized, controlled trial. Covariates of the CAR (eg sleep measures) and irregularities in sampling were assessed. The intervention focussed on stress management, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and social support. Participants were recruited from the general population. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: 97 participants (age: 56 ± 10 years; 71% female), with 68 in the intervention group (IG; age: 55 ± 8, 77% female) and 29 participants in the control group (CG; age: 59 ± 12, 59% female), were included in the analysis. The baseline characteristics of both groups were comparable, except participants of IG were younger. On average, the PSL at baseline was low in both groups (IG: 9.7 ± 5.4 points; CG: 8.5 ± 6.9 points; p = .165), but 22% (n = 15) in the IG and 20% (n = 6) in the CG reported a high PSL. Most participants reported irregularities in CAR sampling, eg interruption of sleep (IG: 80% CG: 81%). After 8 weeks, most CAR parameters and the PSL decreased in the IG and CG, resulting in no differences of change between the groups. In the IG only, a decrease of PSL was linked to an increase of CAR parameters, eg AUCI (correlation coefficient = −0.307; p = .017). Conclusion: The HLCP may potentially reduce PSL and change the CAR, but results cannot be clearly attributed to the programme. Methodological challenges and multiple confounders, limit suitability of the CAR in the context of lifestyle interventions. Other measures (eg hair-cortisol) may give further insights. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS); DRKS00018821; www.drks.de
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Anand
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster (WWU), Muenster
- Department of Food Nutrition Facilities, University of Applied Sciences Muenster, Muenster
| | - Karin Hengst
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster (WWU), Muenster
| | | | - Heike Englert
- Department of Food Nutrition Facilities, University of Applied Sciences Muenster, Muenster
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bergeman CS, Boker SM, Rose N, Bonanno GA, Seeman T. Integrative Science Approach to Resilience: The Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (NDHWB). RESEARCH IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 2021; 18:1-17. [PMID: 34924879 DOI: 10.1080/15427609.2021.1964897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Although many studies have unequivocally demonstrated the promise of understanding resilience to adversity and characterizing the consequences if stress is unabated, needed are dynamic theories and methods to enhance the rigor and interpretation of these assessments. From a dynamic systems perspective, the focus is not whether an individual possesses some fixed ability or unchangeable trait, but rather to understand the flexibility and responsiveness of stress regulation systems to daily hassles and adverse life events. A renewed interest in individual variability allows researchers to see trajectories of change over both short- and long-time scales to understand the developmental course. As a result, it is possible to answer questions, such as, how does the dysregulation in emotion caused by stress, to both within and between daily affect processes, relate to longitudinal trajectories (over time-scales of years) of dysfunction and disease? The overarching goal of the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being is to detail the types and qualities of contextual influences, in conjunction with dynamic psychobiological systems, to assess the precursors, concomitant influences and consequences of stress and resilience in the face of adversity on cognitive, health and well-being outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - T Seeman
- University of California-Los Angeles
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kayacan Y, Makaracı Y, Ozgocer T, Ucar C, Yıldız S. Cortisol Awakening Response and Heart Rate Variability in the Menstrual Cycle of Sportswomen. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT 2021; 92:760-769. [PMID: 32853053 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1774486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the activities of heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol secretion as markers of the autonomous nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) during the menstrual cycle in female athletes. Method: Saliva samples of the participants (n = 28) were collected successively at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min after awakening to assess cortisol awakening response (CAR) during each of four phases of the menstrual cycle (the menstruation, ovulation, luteal, and premenstrual phases). Diurnal saliva samples were collected at noon, in the evening (17:00) and 22:00 for cortisol analysis. HRV was measured in the menstrual and premenstrual phases at rest (12:00-14:00). Results: There was no difference between CAR parameters in the menstrual phases. CAR parameters and diurnal cortisol levels were significantly correlated with each other throughout the menstrual cycle. Mean cortisol was a strong predictor of the area under the curve (AUC: S = 0.042; R-Sq = 98.4%). Time-dependent parameters of HRV (standard deviation of the N-N interval [SDNN; P = .049] and the root mean square of the successive R-R differences [rMSSD; P = .038]) were significantly higher in the menstrual phase. There were no correlations between CAR and HRV parameters. Conclusions: We suggest that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and the autonomic nervous system work in a separate manner that is not affected by the menstrual phases in sportswomen. The present study contributed to a better understanding of the relationship between the dynamics of cortisol release and the autonomic nervous system in different phases of the menstrual cycle in female athletes.
Collapse
|
46
|
Cortisol and shiftwork: A scoping review. Sleep Med Rev 2021; 64:101581. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
47
|
Huo M, Han SH, Kim K, Choi J. Functional Limitations, Volunteering, and Diurnal Cortisol Patterns in Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2021; 76:1893-1903. [PMID: 32692814 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaa104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Older adults often experience functional limitations that affect their everyday lives, but many of them continue to make positive contributions to society and benefit from these contributions themselves. We examine (a) whether older adults' functional limitations are associated with diurnal cortisol patterns and (b) whether these associations vary on volunteering days versus nonvolunteering days. METHODS Participants were adults aged older than 60 years (N = 435) from the National Study of Daily Experiences, part of the Midlife in the United States Study. They completed an initial interview on functional limitations and background characteristics, indicated volunteering activities in daily interviews, and also provided salivary samples across 4 days. RESULTS Multilevel models showed that older adults with greater functional limitations exhibited dysregulated cortisol awakening responses and diurnal cortisol slopes throughout the rest of the day, compared to older adults with lower limitations. Yet, we also observed a significant moderating effect of volunteering on these associations. DISCUSSION This study advances our understanding of functional limitations and cortisol stress responses, revealing the benefits of volunteering to older adults who experience these limitations. Rather than treating these older adults solely as care recipients, interventions should offer them opportunities to help others.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Huo
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis
| | - Sae Hwang Han
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
| | - Kyungmin Kim
- Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston
| | - Jean Choi
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Schmid SR, Höhn C, Bothe K, Plamberger CP, Angerer M, Pletzer B, Hoedlmoser K. How Smart Is It to Go to Bed with the Phone? The Impact of Short-Wavelength Light and Affective States on Sleep and Circadian Rhythms. Clocks Sleep 2021; 3:558-580. [PMID: 34842631 PMCID: PMC8628671 DOI: 10.3390/clockssleep3040040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we presented our preliminary results (N = 14) investigating the effects of short-wavelength light from a smartphone during the evening on sleep and circadian rhythms (Höhn et al., 2021). Here, we now demonstrate our full sample (N = 33 men), where polysomnography and body temperature were recorded during three experimental nights and subjects read for 90 min on a smartphone with or without a filter or from a book. Cortisol, melatonin and affectivity were assessed before and after sleep. These results confirm our earlier findings, indicating reduced slow-wave-sleep and -activity in the first night quarter after reading on the smartphone without a filter. The same was true for the cortisol-awakening-response. Although subjective sleepiness was not affected, the evening melatonin increase was attenuated in both smartphone conditions. Accordingly, the distal-proximal skin temperature gradient increased less after short-wavelength light exposure than after reading a book. Interestingly, we could unravel within this full dataset that higher positive affectivity in the evening predicted better subjective but not objective sleep quality. Our results show disruptive consequences of short-wavelength light for sleep and circadian rhythmicity with a partially attenuating effect of blue-light filters. Furthermore, affective states influence subjective sleep quality and should be considered, whenever investigating sleep and circadian rhythms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Schmid
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.R.S.); (C.H.); (K.B.); (C.P.P.); (M.A.)
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Christopher Höhn
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.R.S.); (C.H.); (K.B.); (C.P.P.); (M.A.)
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Kathrin Bothe
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.R.S.); (C.H.); (K.B.); (C.P.P.); (M.A.)
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Christina P. Plamberger
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.R.S.); (C.H.); (K.B.); (C.P.P.); (M.A.)
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Monika Angerer
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.R.S.); (C.H.); (K.B.); (C.P.P.); (M.A.)
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Belinda Pletzer
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Kerstin Hoedlmoser
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.R.S.); (C.H.); (K.B.); (C.P.P.); (M.A.)
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Concentrations of Salivary Cortisol in Victims of Intimate Partner Violence According to the CIRCORT Database. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010819. [PMID: 34682563 PMCID: PMC8535720 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This work analyzes the different levels of salivary cortisol in women from the southwest of Spain that were victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) with respect to a control group, assessing for the first time the different concentrations obtained in relation to a worldwide reference standard provided by the CIRCORT meta-global cortisol database. The clinical sample (N = 24) and the control group (N = 25) had an average of 39.12 years (SD = 12.31) and 39.52 years (SD = 11.74), respectively. Cortisol awakening response (CAR) was determined by defining the area under the curve (AUCi). There were no differences between the CAR data of the two populations F (1, 141) = 1.690, p = 0.196, but there was a highly significant difference in the three sampling days, where the clinical sample exceeded the cortisol levels of the CIRCORT database in the evening as compared to the control group (p = 0.004, p = 0.001 and p = 0.000). Salivary cortisol concentration samples taken in the evening were significantly higher than those standardized in the CIRCORT database, from the women victims of IPV as compared to the control group, showing its usefulness as an effective supportive tool for problems such as those triggered by IPV.
Collapse
|
50
|
Tian T, Young CB, Zhu Y, Xu J, He Y, Chen M, Hao L, Jiang M, Qiu J, Chen X, Qin S. Socioeconomic Disparities Affect Children's Amygdala-Prefrontal Circuitry via Stress Hormone Response. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:173-181. [PMID: 33832707 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The socioeconomic status (SES) of a family can affect almost all aspects of a child's life, including health and current and future achievement. The potential adverse effects of low SES on children's emotional development are thought to result from proximal factors such as stress. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms, however, remain elusive. METHODS The effect of SES on children's integrative cortisol secretion and its modulations on emotion-related brain systems and connectivity were examined in children aged 6 to 12 years. In study 1, we investigated the relationship between SES and cortisol secretion in 239 children. In study 2, using resting-state and task-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging in a subsample of 50 children, we investigated how SES affects children's amygdala-prefrontal functional organization through cortisol secretion. RESULTS Children from lower SES exhibited lower cortisol secretion, considering basal cortisol, nocturnal cortisol activity during sleep, and cortisol awakening response, which mediated higher amygdala nuclei intrinsic functional connectivity with the medial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). Critically, these children also exhibited higher task-evoked ventromedial PFC activity through higher intrinsic connectivity of the centromedial amygdala with the medial PFC. They also exhibited higher functional coupling of the centromedial amygdala with the dorsolateral PFC when processing negative emotions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that SES shapes children's amygdala-prefrontal circuitry through stress-sensitive cortisol secretion, with the most prominent effect in the centromedial amygdala's functional coordination with the ventromedial and dorsolateral PFC involved in processing negative emotions. Our findings provide important insight into the neurobiological etiology underlying how socioeconomic disparities shape children's emotional development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Christina B Young
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Yannan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jiahua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying He
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Menglu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; College of Teacher Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China; Department of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shaozheng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Brain Imaging and Connectomics, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|