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Brouillard A, Davignon LM, Vachon-Presseau É, Roy M, Marin MF. Starting the pill during adolescence: Age of onset and duration of use influence morphology of the hippocampus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Eur J Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 39245916 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16509] [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] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
From adolescence, women become more likely to experience fear dysregulation. Oral contraceptives (OCs) can modulate the brain regions involved in fear processes. OCs are generally used for years and often initiated during adolescence, a sensitive period where certain brain regions involved in the fear circuitry are still undergoing important reorganization. It remains unknown whether OC use during adolescence may induce long-lasting changes in the fear circuitry. This study aimed to examine whether age of onset moderated the relationship between duration of use and fear-related brain structures. We collected structural MRI data in 98 healthy adult women (61 current users, 37 past users) and extracted grey matter volumes (GMV) and cortical thickness (CT) of key regions of the fear circuitry. Non-linear multiple regressions revealed interaction effects between age of onset and quadratic duration of use on GMV of the right hippocampus and right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Among women who initiated OCs earlier in adolescence, a short duration of use was associated with smaller hippocampal GMV and thicker vmPFC compared to a longer duration of use. For both GMV and CT of the right vmPFC, women with an early OC onset had more grey matter at a short duration of use than those with a later onset. Our results suggest that OC use earlier in adolescence may induce lasting effects on structural correlates of fear learning and its regulation. These findings support further investigation into the timing of OC use to better comprehend how OCs could disrupt normal brain development processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Brouillard
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lisa-Marie Davignon
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Étienne Vachon-Presseau
- Department of Anesthesia, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Roy
- Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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2
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Schuh KM, Ahmed J, Kwak E, Xu CX, Davis TT, Aronoff CB, Tronson NC. A mouse model of oral contraceptive exposure: Depression, motivation, and the stress response. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105470. [PMID: 38061232 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105470] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives, including oral contraceptives (OCs), regulate hormonal cycles and broadly affect physiological processes, including stress responsivity. Whereas many users describe overall improved mood, up to 10 % of OC users experience adverse effects, including depression and anxiety. Given the link between regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, stress exposure, and risk for depression, it is likely that OC-effects on stress mediate increased risk or increased resilience to these disorders. In this study, we developed and characterized a tractable mouse model of OC exposure with which to identify the mechanisms underlying OC modulation of brain, behavior, and mood. Specifically, we aimed to determine whether translationally relevant doses of OC-hormones in mice mimic changes in stress responsivity observed in humans taking OCs and describe behavioral changes during OC exposure. Young adult female C57Bl/6 N mice received daily ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LVNG) in 10 % sucrose, EE and drospirenone (DRSP) in 10 % sucrose, or 10 % sucrose alone. Translationally relevant doses of EE + LVNG-exposure, but not EE + DRSP, suppressed the acute stress response, consistent with effects observed in human OC users. EE + LVNG caused a specific anhedonia-like effect, without broad changes in stress-coping behavior, other depression-like behaviors, or anxiety-like behaviors. The suppression of regular estrous cycling, together with the blunting of the corticosterone response to acute stress, demonstrate the utility of this model for future studies to identify the mechanisms underlying OC interactions with stress, motivation, and risk for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Schuh
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Jabir Ahmed
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Esther Kwak
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Cecilia X Xu
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Tronjay T Davis
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Chloe B Aronoff
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Natalie C Tronson
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America.
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3
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Torbaghan ME, Moghimi A, Kobravi HR, Fereidoni M, Bigdeli I. Effect of stress on spatial working memory and EEG signal dynamics in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in young single girls. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3166. [PMID: 37488720 PMCID: PMC10498068 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Women undergo behavioral changes during the menstrual cycle. This study aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol (Es) on stress and effect of stress on spatial working memory (WM) and also to investigate electroencephalogram (EEG) signal's dynamics in the early and late follicular (EF and LF) and luteal (LU) phases of unmarried girls' menstrual cycle. METHODS Stress was induced by presentation of a short (3 min) movie clip. Simultaneous with a memory test and stress induction, EEG, serum Es levels, and galvanic skin response (GSR) were assessed. RESULTS Serum Es concentrations were decreased in LF, LU, and EF phases. The mean GSR score decreased after stress induction in all three phases, but it increased in the LF and LU phases versus the EF phase. Spatial WM diminished after stress induction in all three phases, but it increased in the LF phase versus the two phases before and after stress induction. Average power spectrum density in all frequency bands increased after stress induction in the frontal and prefrontal channels in the spatial WM test. CONCLUSION The results showed that stress led to spatial WM dysfunction; however, Es improved spatial WM performance in the LF phase versus the other two phases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ali Moghimi
- Rayan Research Center for Neuroscience & Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
| | - Hamid Reza Kobravi
- Research Center of Biomedical Engineering, Mashhad BranchIslamic Azad UniversityMashhadIran
| | - Masoud Fereidoni
- Rayan Research Center for Neuroscience & Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of ScienceFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
| | - Imanollah Bigdeli
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and PsychologyFerdowsi University of MashhadMashhadIran
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4
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Zoladz PR, Cordes CN, Weiser JN, Reneau KE, Boaz KM, Helwig SJ, Virden EM, Thebeault CK, Pfister CL, Getnet BA, Niese TD, Parker SL, Stanek ML, Long KE, Norrholm SD, Rorabaugh BR. Pre-Learning Stress That Is Temporally Removed from Acquisition Impairs Fear Learning. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:775. [PMID: 37372060 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the time-dependent effects of stress on fear learning. Previously, we found that stress immediately before fear conditioning enhanced fear learning. Here, we aimed to extend these findings by assessing the effects of stress 30 min prior to fear conditioning on fear learning and fear generalization. Two hundred and twenty-one healthy adults underwent stress (socially evaluated cold pressor test) or a control manipulation 30 min before completing differential fear conditioning in a fear-potentiated startle paradigm. One visual stimulus (CS+), but not another (CS-), was associated with an aversive airblast to the throat (US) during acquisition. The next day, participants were tested for their fear responses to the CS+, CS-, and several generalization stimuli. Stress impaired the acquisition of fear on Day 1 but had no significant impact on fear generalization. The stress-induced impairment of fear learning was particularly evident in participants who exhibited a robust cortisol response to the stressor. These findings are consistent with the notion that stress administered 30 min before learning impairs memory formation via corticosteroid-related mechanisms and may help us understand how fear memories are altered in stress-related psychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip R Zoladz
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Chloe N Cordes
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Jordan N Weiser
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Kassidy E Reneau
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Kayla M Boaz
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Sara J Helwig
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Emma M Virden
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Caitlin K Thebeault
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Cassidy L Pfister
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Bruktawit A Getnet
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Taylor D Niese
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Sydney L Parker
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Mercedes L Stanek
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Kristen E Long
- Psychology Program, The School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810, USA
| | - Seth D Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Boyd R Rorabaugh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
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5
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Velasco ER, Florido A, Perez-Caballero L, Marin I, Andero R. The Impacts of Sex Differences and Sex Hormones on Fear Extinction. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 64:105-132. [PMID: 37528309 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2023_426] [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: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Fear extinction memories are strongly modulated by sex and hormonal status, but the exact mechanisms are still being discovered. In humans, there are some basal and task-related features in which male and female individuals differ in fear conditioning paradigms. However, analyses considering the effects of sex hormones demonstrate a role for estradiol in fear extinction memory consolidation. Translational studies are taking advantage of the convergent findings between species to understand the brain structures implicated. Nevertheless, the human brain is complex and the transfer of these findings into the clinics remains a challenge. The promising advances in the field together with the standardization of fear extinction methodologies in humans will benefit the design of new personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Raul Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Perez-Caballero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Marin
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raul Andero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
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6
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Song JY, Patton CD, Friedman R, Mahajan LS, Nordlicht R, Sayed R, Lipton ML. Hormonal contraceptives and the brain: A systematic review on 60 years of neuroimaging, EEG, and biochemical studies in humans and animals. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101051. [PMID: 36577486 PMCID: PMC9898167 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hormonal contraception has been widely prescribed for decades. Although safety and efficacy are well-established, much uncertainty remains regarding brain effects of hormonal contraception. We systematically review human and animal studies on the brain effects of hormonal contraception which employed neuroimaging techniques such as MRI, PET and EEG, as well as animal studies which reported on neurotransmitter and other brain biochemical effects. We screened 1001 articles and ultimately extracted data from 70, comprising 51 human and 19 animal studies. Of note, there were no animal studies which employed structural or functional MRI, MRS or PET. In summary, our review shows hormonal contraceptive associations with changes in the brain have been documented. Many questions remain and more studies are needed to describe the effects of hormonal contraception on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Y Song
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | - Renee Friedman
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Lakshmi S Mahajan
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Nordlicht
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Rahman Sayed
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- The Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
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7
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8
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Merz CJ, Wolf OT. How stress hormones shape memories of fear and anxiety in humans. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104901. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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9
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Griksiene R, Monciunskaite R, Ruksenas O. What is there to know about the effects of progestins on the human brain and cognition? Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101032. [PMID: 36029852 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Progestins are an important component of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and hormone replacement therapies (HRTs). Despite an increasing number of studies elucidating the effects of HCs and HRTs, little is known about the effects of different types of progestins included in these medications on the brain. Animal studies suggest that various progestins interact differently with sex steroid, mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors and have specific modulatory effects on neurotransmitter systems and on the expression of neuropeptides, suggesting differential impacts on cognition and behavior. This review focuses on the currently available knowledge from human behavioral and neuroimaging studies pooled with evidence from animal research regarding the effects of progestins on the brain. The reviewed information is highly relevant for improving women's mental health and making informed choices regarding specific types of contraception or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramune Griksiene
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Monciunskaite
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
| | - Osvaldas Ruksenas
- Department of Neurobiology and Biophysics, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Lithuania
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10
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Jentsch VL, Pötzl L, Wolf OT, Merz CJ. Hormonal contraceptive usage influences stress hormone effects on cognition and emotion. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101012. [PMID: 35798220 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Men and women partially differ in how they respond to stress and how stress in return affects their cognition and emotion. The influence of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) on this interaction has received little attention, which is surprising given the prevalence of HC usage. This selective review illustrates how HC usage modulates the effects of stress hormones on cognition and emotion. As three examples, we discuss stress hormone effects on episodic memory, fear conditioning and cognitive emotion regulation. The identified studies revealed that stress effects on cognitive-emotional processes in women using HCs were at times reduced or even absent when compared to men or naturally cycling women. Especially striking were the few examples of reversed effects in HC women. As underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms, we discuss influences of HCs on the neuroendocrine stress response and effects of HCs on central glucocorticoid sensitivity. The summarized findings emphasize the need for additional translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L Jentsch
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Lisa Pötzl
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
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11
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Tronson NC, Schuh KM. Hormonal contraceptives, stress, and the brain: The critical need for animal models. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101035. [PMID: 36075276 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are among the most important health and economic developments in the 20thCentury, providing unprecedented reproductive control and a range of health benefits including decreased premenstrual symptoms and protections against various cancers. Hormonal contraceptives modulate neural function and stress responsivity. These changes are usually innocuous or even beneficial, including their effects onmood. However, in approximately 4-10% of users, or up to 30 million people at any given time, hormonal contraceptives trigger depression or anxiety symptoms. How hormonal contraceptives contribute to these responses and who is at risk for adverse outcomes remain unknown. In this paper, we discussstudies of hormonal contraceptive use in humans and describe the ways in which laboratory animal models of contraceptive hormone exposure will be an essential tool for expanding findings to understand the precise mechanisms by which hormonal contraceptives influence the brain, stress responses, and depression risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Tronson
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kristen M Schuh
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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12
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Beltz AM. Hormonal contraceptive influences on cognition and psychopathology: Past methods, present inferences, and future directions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101037. [PMID: 36154817 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, there has been a remarkable surge in research on the neural and behavioral correlates of hormonal contraceptive use, particularly oral contraceptive use. Questions have evolved swiftly and notably, with studies no longer revealing if hormonal contraceptives matter for the brain and behavior, but rather how, when, and for whom they matter most. Paralleling this shift, the goal of this review is to move beyond an average synthesis of hormonal contraceptive influences on human cognition and psychopathology (and their neural substrates) in order to consider the nature and specificity of effects. Accompanied by an evaluation of study methods and informed by findings from animal models, this consideration uncovers promising areas of research in the next ten years, including potential activational and organizational effects of hormonal contraceptive use, individual differences in effects that matter for the wellbeing of unique individuals, and correlates of intrauterine device use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriene M Beltz
- University of Michigan, 2227 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Abor, MI 48109, USA.
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13
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Methods and considerations for the use of hormonal contraceptives in rat models of neurobehavior. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:101011. [PMID: 35716802 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives (HCs), prescribed to millions of women around the world, alter the ovarian hormonal cycle resulting in neurobehavioral changes in HC users. Human epidemiological and experimental data has characterized some of these effects with oftentimes conflicting or irreproducible results, reflecting a dearth of research considering different compositions, routes of administration, or time-courses of HC use. Non-human animal research can model these effects and help elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which different HCs modulate neurobehavioral outcomes. Still, animal models using HCs are not well-established. This may be because the pharmacological profile of HCs - including the metabolism, receptor binding affinity, and neuromodulatory effects - is dynamic and not always clearly translatable between animals and humans. The current review addresses these issues and provides basic methods and considerations for the use of HCs in animal models of neurobehavior to help advance the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology and inform decisions regarding to women's health.
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14
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Davies C, Appiah-Kusi E, Wilson R, Blest-Hopley G, Bossong MG, Valmaggia L, Brammer M, Perez J, Allen P, Murray RM, McGuire P, Bhattacharyya S. Altered relationship between cortisol response to social stress and mediotemporal function during fear processing in people at clinical high risk for psychosis: a preliminary report. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 272:461-475. [PMID: 34480630 PMCID: PMC8938358 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-021-01318-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that people at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR) have a blunted cortisol response to stress and altered mediotemporal activation during fear processing, which may be neuroendocrine-neuronal signatures of maladaptive threat responses. However, whether these facets are associated with each other and how this relationship is affected by cannabidiol treatment is unknown. We examined the relationship between cortisol response to social stress and mediotemporal function during fear processing in healthy people and in CHR patients. In exploratory analyses, we investigated whether treatment with cannabidiol in CHR individuals could normalise any putative alterations in cortisol-mediotemporal coupling. 33 CHR patients were randomised to 600 mg cannabidiol or placebo treatment. Healthy controls (n = 19) did not receive any drug. Mediotemporal function was assessed using a fearful face-processing functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm. Serum cortisol and anxiety were measured immediately following the Trier Social Stress Test. The relationship between cortisol and mediotemporal blood-oxygen-level-dependent haemodynamic response was investigated using linear regression. In healthy controls, there was a significant negative relationship between cortisol and parahippocampal activation (p = 0.023), such that the higher the cortisol levels induced by social stress, the lower the parahippocampal activation (greater deactivation) during fear processing. This relationship differed significantly between the control and placebo groups (p = 0.033), but not between the placebo and cannabidiol groups (p = 0.67). Our preliminary findings suggest that the parahippocampal response to fear processing may be associated with the neuroendocrine (cortisol) response to experimentally induced social stress, and that this relationship may be altered in patients at clinical high risk for psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Davies
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Elizabeth Appiah-Kusi
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Robin Wilson
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Grace Blest-Hopley
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Matthijs G. Bossong
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Lucia Valmaggia
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK ,grid.37640.360000 0000 9439 0839National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael Brammer
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Jesus Perez
- grid.450563.10000 0004 0412 9303CAMEO Early Intervention Service, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paul Allen
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK ,grid.35349.380000 0001 0468 7274Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, London, UK ,grid.416167.30000 0004 0442 1996Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA
| | - Robin M. Murray
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Philip McGuire
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK ,grid.37640.360000 0000 9439 0839National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK ,grid.37640.360000 0000 9439 0839Outreach and Support in South London (OASIS) Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sagnik Bhattacharyya
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
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15
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Brouillard A, Davignon LM, Fortin J, Marin MF. A Year Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Deleterious Impact of Hormonal Contraception on Psychological Distress in Women. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:835857. [PMID: 35370813 PMCID: PMC8966723 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.835857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women are more at risk than men of suffering from psychological distress during disease outbreaks. Interestingly, no biological factors have been studied to explain this disparity in such contexts. Sex hormone variations induced by hormonal contraceptives (HC) have been associated with mental health vulnerabilities. However, most studies have examined current effects of HC without considering whether a chronic modulation of sex hormone levels could induce long-lasting effects that persist after HC cessation. OBJECTIVES To date, the role of HC on psychological health in women during a disease outbreak is still unknown. We aimed to investigate both current and long-term effects of HC on psychological distress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD At four time points during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020, September 2020, December 2020, March 2021), we collected self-reported data on psychological distress, assessing symptoms of post-traumatic stress [via the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)], symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress [via the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)]. Linear mixed models were first used to compare men (n = 49), naturally cycling women (n = 73), and women using HC (n = 32) across time. To examine long-lasting effects of HC, exploratory analyses were restricted to women, comparing current HC users (n = 32), past users (n = 56), and never users (n = 17). RESULTS The first model revealed that women taking HC reported stable post-traumatic stress symptoms across time, compared to naturally cycling women and men who showed a significant decrease from T1 to T2. HC users also reported greater DASS-21 total scores over time. Moreover, HC users reported higher stress and anxiety symptoms than men. In the second model, results showed that past HC users had similar anxiety levels as current HC users. These two groups reported significantly more anxiety symptoms than never users. CONCLUSION HC users report increased distress during the pandemic relative to naturally cycling women and men. Our results also suggest a long-lasting effect of HC intake, highlighting the importance of considering both the current use of HC and its history. This could provide some insight into potential avenues for explaining why some women are prone to higher psychological distress than men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Brouillard
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lisa Marie Davignon
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Justine Fortin
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie France Marin
- Research Center of the Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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16
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Lanfranchi A. Hormonal Contraception and Violent Death: The Physiological and Psychological Links. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:667563. [PMID: 34393733 PMCID: PMC8363127 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.667563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, two large prospective cohort studies of British and American women have been conducted which found a statistically significant increase in the risk of violent death in ever-users of hormonal contraceptives. Research on the effects of hormonal contraceptives upon the behaviors of intimate partners and on the physiology of women using hormonal contraceptives has provided insight into the possible basis for the resulting increase in violent death. This review examines the changes that are potential contributors to the reported increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lanfranchi
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, United States.,Breast Cancer Prevention Institute, Whitehouse Station, NJ, United States
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17
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Jaszczyk A, Juszczak GR. Glucocorticoids, metabolism and brain activity. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:113-145. [PMID: 33727030 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The review integrates different experimental approaches including biochemistry, c-Fos expression, microdialysis (glutamate, GABA, noradrenaline and serotonin), electrophysiology and fMRI to better understand the effect of elevated level of glucocorticoids on the brain activity and metabolism. The available data indicate that glucocorticoids alter the dynamics of neuronal activity leading to context-specific changes including both excitation and inhibition and these effects are expected to support the task-related responses. Glucocorticoids also lead to diversification of available sources of energy due to elevated levels of glucose, lactate, pyruvate, mannose and hydroxybutyrate (ketone bodies), which can be used to fuel brain, and facilitate storage and utilization of brain carbohydrate reserves formed by glycogen. However, the mismatch between carbohydrate supply and utilization that is most likely to occur in situations not requiring energy-consuming activities lead to metabolic stress due to elevated brain levels of glucose. Excessive doses of glucocorticoids also impair the production of energy (ATP) and mitochondrial oxidation. Therefore, glucocorticoids have both adaptive and maladaptive effects consistently with the concept of allostatic load and overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Jaszczyk
- Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, 36a Postepu str., Poland
| | - Grzegorz R Juszczak
- Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Jastrzebiec, 36a Postepu str., Poland.
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18
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Langer K, Jentsch VL, Wolf OT. Cortisol promotes the cognitive regulation of high intensive emotions independent of timing. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:2684-2698. [PMID: 33709613 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Failures to cognitively downregulate negative emotions are a crucial risk factor for mental disorders. Previous studies provide evidence for a stress-induced improvement of cognitive emotion regulation possibly mediated via glucocorticoid actions. Cortisol can initialize immediate non-genomic as well as delayed genomic effects on cognitive control functioning, but its distinct effects on emotion regulation processes remain to be shown. Here, we sought to characterize time-dependent effects of oral cortisol administration on cognitive emotion regulation outcomes. We expected cortisol to improve emotion regulation success. Possible interactions with the delay between cortisol treatment and emotion regulation, strategy use and intensity of the emotional stimuli were examined. Eighty-five healthy men received either 10 mg hydrocortisone or a placebo in a double-blind, randomized design 30 or 90 min prior to an emotion regulation paradigm, in which they were asked to downregulate their emotional responses towards low and high intensive negative pictures via reappraisal or distraction. Affective ratings and pupil dilation served as outcome measures. Reduced arousal, enhanced valence ratings as well as increases in pupil dilations indexing the cognitive regulatory effort indicated successful downregulation of negative emotions evoked by high intensive but not low intensive negative pictures. Cortisol significantly reduced arousal ratings when downregulating high intensive negative emotions via distraction and (at a trend level) via reappraisal, independent of timing, demonstrating a beneficial effect of cortisol on subjective regulatory outcomes. Taken together, this study provides initial evidence suggesting that cortisol promotes the cognitive control of high intensive negative emotions both, 30 and 90 min after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Langer
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Valerie L Jentsch
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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19
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Taylor CM, Pritschet L, Jacobs EG. The scientific body of knowledge - Whose body does it serve? A spotlight on oral contraceptives and women's health factors in neuroimaging. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 60:100874. [PMID: 33002517 PMCID: PMC7882021 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women constitute half of the world's population, yet neuroscience research does not serve the sexes equally. Fifty years of preclinical animal evidence documents the tightly-coupled relationship between our endocrine and nervous systems, yet human neuroimaging studies rarely consider how endocrine factors shape the structural and functional architecture of the human brain. Here, we quantify several blind spots in neuroimaging research, which overlooks aspects of the human condition that impact women's health (e.g. the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, menopause). Next, we illuminate potential consequences of this oversight: today over 100 million women use oral hormonal contraceptives, yet relatively few investigations have systematically examined whether disrupting endogenous hormone production impacts the brain. We close by presenting a roadmap for progress, highlighting the University of California Women's Brain Initiative which is addressing unmet needs in women's health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Taylor
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States.
| | - Laura Pritschet
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Emily G Jacobs
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States.
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20
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Zhao S, Wu W, Kang R, Wang X. Significant Increase in Depression in Women With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Cumulative Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:686514. [PMID: 34421672 PMCID: PMC8374105 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.686514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with primary dysmenorrhea are vulnerable to develop a depressive disorder, which is a common form of psycho-disturbance. However, clinical findings are inconsistent across studies, and the evidence has not been previously synthesized. This study aims to investigate whether primary dysmenorrhea is associated with a higher risk of depression via a cumulative analysis. Four electronic databases were systematically searched for the eligible studies. The combined effect was assessed by analyzing the relative risk (RR) and standard mean differences (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). This cumulative analysis was registered on the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020169601). Of 972 publications, a total of 10 studies involving 4,691 participants were included. Pooled results from six included studies showed that primary dysmenorrhea was associated with a significant depressive disorder (RR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.44 to 2.0, P < 0.001; heterogeneity: I 2 = 0%, P = 0.544). In addition, synthesis results from two studies provided the BDI scores suggested that dysmenorrhea had significantly higher scores when compared to non-dysmenorrhea (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31-0.62, P < 0.001; heterogeneity: I 2 = 0%, P = 0.518). However, in the two studies providing the PROMIS T-Score, the pooled result showed that there was no significant difference between women with dysmenorrhea and those without dysmenorrhea (P = 0.466). The overall quality of the evidence in our study was judged to MODERATE. The present study has confirmed the positive relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and depression. Social supports and medical help from pain management physicians or psychologists are important interventions for women with dysmenorrhea-suffering depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankun Zhao
- Department of Urology, Taizhou Central Hospital, Taizhou University Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Weizhou Wu
- Department of Urology, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, China
| | - Ran Kang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- Reproductive Center of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
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21
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Herrera AY, Velasco R, Faude S, White JD, Opitz PC, Huang R, Tu K, Mather M. Brain activity during a post-stress working memory task differs between the hormone-present and hormone-absent phase of hormonal contraception. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100248. [PMID: 33344703 PMCID: PMC7739035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Taking hormonal contraceptives (HCs) affects the magnitude of the hormonal stress response and cognition. HCs are usually administered in a monthly cycle with both synthetic-hormone-containing and synthetic-hormone-absent phases. The synthetic hormones contained in HCs affect a wide range of neurophysiological systems, suggesting that effects of the medication might only be observed during the synthetic-hormone-containing phase of the HC cycle. To test this, women were seen twice, once during the hormone-present phase and once during the hormone-absent phase of the HC cycle. In each session, women performed an n-back working memory task to assess pre-stress performance outside of the magnetic resonance imaging scanner, were then exposed to cold pressor stress, and again completed the n-back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. The free cortisol response to stress remained the same across the HC cycle. Women also performed comparably on the n-back task after stress exposure across the two phases. However, despite these similarities, women displayed greater disengagement of default mode network as task demands increased during the hormone-present phase only, a pattern more in line with working memory-related brain activation under non-stressful conditions reported in other studies. The results suggest that the synthetic hormones contained in HCs may mitigate stress-related disruptions of typical brain activation patterns during the hormone-present phase of the HC cycle, despite exhibiting comparable cortisol responses across the HC cycle. Additional research is required to determine the mechanisms contributing to, and the extent of, such mitigating effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Ycaza Herrera
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ricardo Velasco
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Sophia Faude
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Jessica D White
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Philipp C Opitz
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Ringo Huang
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Kristie Tu
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.,University of Southern California, Department of Psychology, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.,University of Southern California, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
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22
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Biggs EE, Timmers I, Meulders A, Vlaeyen JW, Goebel R, Kaas AL. The neural correlates of pain-related fear: A meta-analysis comparing fear conditioning studies using painful and non-painful stimuli. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 119:52-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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23
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Brønnick MK, Økland I, Graugaard C, Brønnick KK. The Effects of Hormonal Contraceptives on the Brain: A Systematic Review of Neuroimaging Studies. Front Psychol 2020; 11:556577. [PMID: 33224053 PMCID: PMC7667464 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.556577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hormonal contraceptive drugs are being used by adult and adolescent women all over the world. Convergent evidence from animal research indicates that contraceptive substances can alter both structure and function of the brain, yet such effects are not part of the public discourse or clinical decision-making concerning these drugs. We thus conducted a systematic review of the neuroimaging literature to assess the current evidence of hormonal contraceptive influence on the human brain. Methods: The review was registered in PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with the PRISMA criteria for systematic reviews. Structural and functional neuroimaging studies concerning the use of hormonal contraceptives, indexed in Embase, PubMed and/or PsycINFO until February 2020 were included, following a comprehensive and systematic search based on predetermined selection criteria. Results: A total of 33 articles met the inclusion criteria. Ten of these were structural studies, while 23 were functional investigations. Only one study investigated effects on an adolescent sample. The quality of the articles varied as many had methodological challenges as well as partially unfounded theoretical claims. However, most of the included neuroimaging studies found functional and/or structural brain changes associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives. Conclusion: The included studies identified structural and functional changes in areas involved in affective and cognitive processing, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus. However, only one study reported primary research on a purely adolescent sample. Thus, there is a need for further investigation of the implications of these findings, especially with regard to adolescent girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita Kallesten Brønnick
- Center for Clinical Research in Psychosis (TIPS), Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Sexology Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Inger Økland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department for Caring and Ethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Christian Graugaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center for Sexology Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kolbjørn Kallesten Brønnick
- SESAM, Department of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
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24
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Harrewijn A, Vidal-Ribas P, Clore-Gronenborn K, Jackson SM, Pisano S, Pine DS, Stringaris A. Associations between brain activity and endogenous and exogenous cortisol - A systematic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 120:104775. [PMID: 32592873 PMCID: PMC7502528 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To arrive at a coherent understanding of the relation between glucocorticoids and the human brain, we systematically reviewed the literature for studies examining the associations between endogenous or exogenous cortisol and human brain function. Higher levels of endogenous cortisol during psychological stress were related to increased activity in the middle temporal gyrus and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), decreased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and altered function (i.e., mixed findings, increased or decreased) in the amygdala, hippocampus and inferior frontal gyrus. Moreover, endogenous cortisol response to psychological stress was related to increased activity in the inferior temporal gyrus and altered function in the amygdala during emotional tasks that followed psychological stress. Exogenous cortisol administration was related to increased activity in the postcentral gyrus, superior frontal gyrus and ACC, and altered function in the amygdala and hippocampus during conditioning, emotional and reward-processing tasks after cortisol administration. These findings were in line with those from animal studies on amygdala activity during and after stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Harrewijn
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Pablo Vidal-Ribas
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6710 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Katharina Clore-Gronenborn
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9501 Euclid Ave. EC10, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA; Genetic Epidemiology Research Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Sarah M Jackson
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Simone Pisano
- Department of Neuroscience, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon, Via Mario Fiore 6, Naples, Italy; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Argyris Stringaris
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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25
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Peyrot C, Brouillard A, Morand-Beaulieu S, Marin MF. A review on how stress modulates fear conditioning: Let's not forget the role of sex and sex hormones. Behav Res Ther 2020; 129:103615. [PMID: 32334278 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Stress and fear are two fields of research that have evolved simultaneously. It was not until the eighties that these domains converged in order to better characterize the impact of stress on fear memory formation. Here, we reviewed the effects of stress occurring before fear acquisition on the main phases of fear conditioning protocols (acquisition training, extinction training, extinction retention test), with a specific focus on sex and sex hormones. We also paid close attention to methodological aspects in order to better understand and characterize discrepant findings across studies. In men, stress appears to potentiate fear acquisition at a physiological level but induces lower activations of fear-related brain regions. In women, results are inconsistent. Although some studies have shown that stress lowers physiological fear responses and heightens brain activations in women during fear acquisition, many studies report no significant effects. Irrespective of sex, pre-acquisition stress seems to induce fear extinction learning resistance. Overall, few studies have taken into account sex hormones, despite their impact on both the fear and stress brain networks. As methodological variability makes it complex to draw strong conclusions, several methodological aspects are discussed with the aim of orienting future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Peyrot
- Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1N 3J4; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1J4.
| | - Alexandra Brouillard
- Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1N 3J4; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2X 2P3.
| | - Simon Morand-Beaulieu
- Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1N 3J4; Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, 2960 de la Tour Rd, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1J4; Currently with the Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
| | - Marie-France Marin
- Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, 7331 Hochelaga Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1N 3J4; Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Édouard-Montpetit Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1J4; Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, 100 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2X 2P3.
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26
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Seligowski AV, Harnett NG, Merker JB, Ressler KJ. Nervous and Endocrine System Dysfunction in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Overview and Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 5:381-391. [PMID: 32033924 PMCID: PMC7150641 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Decades of research into the biological mechanisms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests that chronic activation of the stress response leads to long-lasting changes in the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine systems. While the prevalence of PTSD is twice as high in females as males, little is known about how sex differences in neuroendocrine systems may contribute to PTSD. In response to the paucity of research on sex-related mechanisms, the National Institutes of Health created a policy that asks researchers to consider sex as a biological variable. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of nervous and endocrine dysfunction in PTSD (e.g., neural circuitry, autonomic arousal, hormonal response), highlighting areas where the influence of sex has been characterized and where further research is needed. We also provide recommendations for using the sex-as-a-biological-variable policy to address specific gaps in PTSD neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia V Seligowski
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts.
| | - Nathaniel G Harnett
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Julia B Merker
- Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
| | - Kerry J Ressler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Depression and Anxiety, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts
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Jentsch VL, Merz CJ, Wolf OT. Restoring emotional stability: Cortisol effects on the neural network of cognitive emotion regulation. Behav Brain Res 2019; 374:111880. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Timmers I, Quaedflieg CWEM, Hsu C, Heathcote LC, Rovnaghi CR, Simons LE. The interaction between stress and chronic pain through the lens of threat learning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:641-655. [PMID: 31622630 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Stress and pain are interleaved at multiple levels - interacting and influencing each other. Both are modulated by psychosocial factors including fears, beliefs, and goals, and are served by overlapping neural substrates. One major contributing factor in the development and maintenance of chronic pain is threat learning, with pain as an emotionally-salient threat - or stressor. Here, we argue that threat learning is a central mechanism and contributor, mediating the relationship between stress and chronic pain. We review the state of the art on (mal)adaptive learning in chronic pain, and on effects of stress and particularly cortisol on learning. We then provide a theoretical integration of how stress may affect chronic pain through its effect on threat learning. Prolonged stress, as may be experienced by patients with chronic pain, and its resulting changes in key brain networks modulating stress responses and threat learning, may further exacerbate these impairing effects on threat learning. We provide testable hypotheses and suggestions for how this integration may guide future research and clinical approaches in chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Timmers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States.
| | - Conny W E M Quaedflieg
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Connie Hsu
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
| | - Lauren C Heathcote
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Cynthia R Rovnaghi
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 770 Welch Road, Suite 435, Stanford, CA 94304, United States
| | - Laura E Simons
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1070 Arastradero Road, Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
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Laird S, Ney LJ, Felmingham KL, Gogos A. Hormonal Contraception and the Brain: Examining Cognition and Psychiatric Disorders. CURRENT PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH AND REVIEWS 2019. [DOI: 10.2174/1573400515666190521113841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background:The combined oral contraceptive pill (OC), containing synthetic estrogens and progestins, is used by millions of women worldwide, yet little is known about its effects on cognition or on psychiatric disorders. The progestin component of OCs determines their androgenicity, i.e. whether the OC has androgen binding components with masculinising effects or antiandrogenic components with feminising effects.Objective:The present review discusses the literature surrounding OC use and cognition in healthy women. Given the important role that sex hormones play in psychiatric disorders, we also consider the influence of OCs on symptoms of schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and indirectly, sleep quality.Results:Research has shown that while there are no differences between OC users and non-users, androgenic OCs enhance visuospatial ability and anti-androgenic OCs enhance verbal fluency. Little is known about OCs effects on other cognitive domains, such as memory and executive function. There is little research examining OC use in schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders. There is some evidence that OC use is associated with depression, however the exact causality of this association remains to be verified.Conclusion:We maintain that future studies need to address several methodological limitations, such as separating OCs based on androgenicity to avoid the masking effects that occur when various OCs are considered as one group. As this review highlights several significant effects of OC use on the brain, the implications of OC use needs to be considered in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Laird
- School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Luke J. Ney
- School of Medicine (Psychology), University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS, Australia
| | - Kim L. Felmingham
- School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrea Gogos
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Klucken T, Kruse O, Klein S, Kampa M, Tapia León I, Stark R. The relationship between neuroticism and appetitive conditioning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2019; 164:107068. [PMID: 31415871 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.107068] [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: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Appetitive conditioning is considered a central mechanism for the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. However, the investigation of individual differences that are related to altered appetitive learning has been almost neglected so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between neuroticism and appetitive conditioning processes. 79 subjects participated in a differential conditioning procedure in which a conditioned stimulus (CS+) was paired with a reward (money) after a fast behavioral response, while a second conditioned stimulus (CS-) was never followed by a reward, irrespective of the behavioral response. As a main result, neuroticism correlated negatively with the underlying neural processes of appetitive conditioning in females, but not in males. In detail, higher levels of neuroticism were associated with decreased neural responses in the left (p = .001) and right amygdala (p = .011), left (p = .063) and right (p = .019) nucleus accumbens, and left (p = .002) and right (p = .021) orbitofrontal cortex (all results are family-wise-error-corrected). The present results support previous findings, which also showed an inverse sex-specific effect in the context of neuroticism and emotional processing in females. In addition, the findings suggest that neuroticism is not solely linked to increased amygdala sensitivity during the processing of negative stimuli but also to decreased neural responses when processing rewarding stimuli. Possible explanations for the sex differences and implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Klucken
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Germany
| | - Onno Kruse
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Germany; Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany.
| | - Sanja Klein
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Miriam Kampa
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Germany; Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Isabell Tapia León
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Germany; Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany
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Gaab J, Bürgin D, Locher C, Werner C, Urech S, Bratschi C, Garcia LB, Hauke M, Bitter S, Bohny M, Bentz D. Endogenous cortisol and conditioned placebo effects on pain - A randomized trial. J Psychosom Res 2019; 123:109739. [PMID: 31376878 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.109739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Placebo effects can be induced by learning and conditioning processes, which in turn are influenced and modulated by glucocorticoids. Accordingly, previous research has shown that intervention-related associative learning can be modulated through exogenous as well as endogenous glucocorticoids. Thus, the aim of this study was to elucidate whether placebo effects induced by conditioning is modulated by daily fluctuations of endogenous cortisol levels in healthy male and female subjects. Overall 77 participants underwent a two-phased placebo conditioning paradigm for pain analgesia. Subjects were randomized in two groups, which underwent placebo preconditioning either in the morning (08:00-10:00, i.e. with high endogenous cortisol levels) or in the afternoon (16:00-18:00, i.e. with low endogenous cortisol levels). Placebo effects were assessed two days later at noontime (12:00-13:00), with possible differences between groups as an indicator of glucocorticoid modulation on the placebo learning. Results indicated a significant conditioned placebo-induced analgesia, resulting in a placebo effect of small to medium size. Cortisol levels on conditioning day significantly differed between groups and cortisol levels were similar during assessment of placebo effects. Groups did not differ in their mean reduction in pain sensation, thus the placebo effect was not affected by differences in cortisol levels during the conditioning of placebo effects. The present study does not indicate a moderation of placebo conditioning by endogenous glucocorticoid levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Gaab
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - David Bürgin
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cosima Locher
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Werner
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Urech
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine Bratschi
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lorena Bartolomé Garcia
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Milena Hauke
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Salome Bitter
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bohny
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dorothée Bentz
- Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Switzerland
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Wolf OT. Memories of and influenced by the Trier Social Stress Test. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 105:98-104. [PMID: 30409385 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychosocial stress influences cognition, affect and behavior. This current review summarizes the impact of acute stress on human long-term memory taking a neuroendocrine perspective. In this respect the stress associated increase in activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are key. A special focus will be placed on findings obtained with the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). This paradigm can be used to induce stress before or after a memory task. It was shown repeatedly that stress enhances long-term consolidation but impairs long term memory retrieval. However the TSST can also be used to assess memories of this stressful episode itself. The latter requires a standardized presentation of relevant stimuli during the TSST as well as a carefully designed control condition. Moreover special care has to be taken to control potential influences on visual exploration and working memory in order to correctly interpret observed effects on memory. The results obtained so far fit to the idea of enhanced encoding of salient information under stress. These findings are of relevance for educational, organizational and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
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33
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Person B, Oinonen KA. Emotional Memory in Oral Contraceptive Users: Negative Stimuli Are More Forgettable. Psychol Rep 2019; 123:2282-2304. [DOI: 10.1177/0033294119856554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Recent research suggests oral contraceptive use is associated with altered memory for emotional story information, blunted stress hormone responses to emotional stimuli, and altered structure or function of the amygdala and hippocampus. This study examined the extent to which oral contraceptives influence relative recall of (a) the spatial location of emotional versus neutral stimuli and (b) positive versus negative emotional stimuli. Participants (58 oral contraceptive users, 40 nonusers, and 37 men) completed an Emotional Spatial Memory test and were evaluated on short-term recall and long-term (one week) recall. There was no evidence for group differences in recall of the locations of emotional versus neutral stimuli. However, oral contraceptive users remembered relatively more positive than negative items compared with nonusers and men on the spatial memory test. This effect was driven by oral contraceptive users recalling fewer negative items than free cyclers. The results indicate that hormonal contraceptives may decrease immediate recall of negative emotional stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandi Person
- Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Canada
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34
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Riggenbach MR, Weiser JN, Mosley BE, Hipskind JJ, Wireman LE, Hess KL, Duffy TJ, Handel JK, Kaschalk MG, Reneau KE, Rorabaugh BR, Norrholm SD, Jovanovic T, Zoladz PR. Immediate pre-learning stress enhances baseline startle response and fear acquisition in a fear-potentiated startle paradigm. Behav Brain Res 2019; 371:111980. [PMID: 31145979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.111980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Extensive work has shown that stress time-dependently influences hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. In particular, stress that is administered immediately before learning enhances long-term memory, while stress that is temporally separated from learning impairs long-term memory. We have extended these findings by examining the impact of immediate, pre-learning stress on an amygdala-dependent fear conditioning task. One hundred and forty-one healthy participants underwent a stress (socially evaluated cold pressor test) or control manipulation immediately before completing differential fear conditioning in a fear-potentiated startle paradigm. Participants then completed extinction and extinction memory testing sessions 24 and 48 h later, respectively. Stress administered immediately before acquisition increased baseline startle responses and enhanced fear learning, as evidenced by greater fear-potentiated startle to the CS + . Although no group differences were observed during extinction training on Day 2, stressed participants exhibited evidence of impaired extinction processes on Day 3, an effect that was driven by group differences in acquisition. Importantly, stressed participants' cortisol responses to the stressor on Day 1 were positively associated with CS discrimination on Days 2 and 3. These findings suggest that stress immediately before fear conditioning strengthens fear memory formation and produces a more enduring fear memory, perhaps via corticosteroid activity. Such a paradigm could be useful for understanding factors that influence traumatic memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie R Riggenbach
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Jordan N Weiser
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Brianne E Mosley
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Jennifer J Hipskind
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Leighton E Wireman
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Kelsey L Hess
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Tessa J Duffy
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Julie K Handel
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - MacKenzie G Kaschalk
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Kassidy E Reneau
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Boyd R Rorabaugh
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences, Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA
| | - Seth D Norrholm
- Mental Health Service Line, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Phillip R Zoladz
- Department of Psychology, Sociology, & Criminal Justice, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810, USA.
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Brueckner AH, Lass-Hennemann J, Wilhelm FH, Ferreira de Sá DS, Michael T. Cortisol administration after extinction in a fear-conditioning paradigm with traumatic film clips prevents return of fear. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:128. [PMID: 30962423 PMCID: PMC6453889 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0455-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortisol is a stress hormone and potent modulator of learning and memory processes. If administered after learning, cortisol can enhance memory consolidation. Yet it is unknown whether cortisol administration after fear extinction learning strengthens extinction memory. Extinction is a crucial mechanism underlying psychotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study examined whether extinction can be enhanced by administering cortisol after extinction training. In a registered, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled trial, 50 healthy participants were exposed to a differential fear-conditioning paradigm with neutral faces as conditioned stimuli (CS) and traumatic film clips as unconditioned stimuli (US). They received either cortisol (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25) immediately after extinction. The cortisol group showed less fear during a return of fear manipulation (reinstatement) evidenced by attenuated fear potentiated startle responses and US-expectancy ratings than the placebo group. Results indicate that cortisol administration after fear extinction strengthens extinction memory and suggest that it might be advantageous to administer cortisol subsequent to successful exposure treatment sessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra H. Brueckner
- 0000 0001 2167 7588grid.11749.3aDivision of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Johanna Lass-Hennemann
- 0000 0001 2167 7588grid.11749.3aDivision of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Frank H. Wilhelm
- 0000000110156330grid.7039.dDivision of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Diana S. Ferreira de Sá
- 0000 0001 2167 7588grid.11749.3aDivision of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tanja Michael
- 0000 0001 2167 7588grid.11749.3aDivision of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Marin M, Barbey F, Rosenbaum BL, Hammoud MZ, Orr SP, Milad MR. Absence of conditioned responding in humans: A bad measure or individual differences? Psychophysiology 2019; 57:e13350. [DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie‐France Marin
- Department of Psychology Université du Québec à Montréal, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute Montreal Quebec
| | | | | | - Mira Z. Hammoud
- Department of Psychiatry University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois
| | - Scott P. Orr
- Department of Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts
| | - Mohammed R. Milad
- Department of Psychiatry University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois
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Raeder F, Merz CJ, Tegenthoff M, Wolf OT, Margraf J, Zlomuzica A. Post-exposure cortisol administration does not augment the success of exposure therapy: A randomized placebo-controlled study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 99:174-182. [PMID: 30245330 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Cortisol administration prior to treatment can promote the efficacy of exposure-based treatments in specific phobia: cortisol has been proposed to reduce fear retrieval at the beginning of exposure and to enhance the acquisition and consolidation of corrective information learned during exposure. Whether cortisol exerts a beneficial therapeutic effect when given after exposure, e.g., by targeting the consolidation of new corrective information, has not been addressed so far to date. Here, we examined whether post-exposure cortisol administration promotes fear reduction and reduces return of fear following contextual change in specific phobia. Furthermore, the effect of cortisol on return of fear following contextual change (i.e., contextual renewal) was assessed. Patients with spider phobia (N = 43) were treated with a single session of in-vivo exposure, followed by cortisol administration (20 mg hydrocortisone) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. Return of fear was assessed with behavioral approach tests (BATs) in the familiar therapy context (versus a novel unfamiliar context) at one-month and seven-month follow-up assessment. Exposure was effective in reducing fear from pre-treatment to post-treatment (i.e., 24 h after exposure) on fear-related behavioral (approach behavior during the BAT), psychophysiological (heart rate during the BAT) and subjective (fear during the BAT, spider-fear related questionnaires) measures of therapeutic outcome, with no add-on benefit of cortisol administration. Cortisol had no effect on contextual renewal at one-month follow-up. However, in a subsample (N = 21) that returned to the seven-month follow-up, an adverse effect of cortisol on fear renewal was found, with cortisol-treated patients showing an increase in subjective fear at the final approach distance of the BAT from post-treatment to seven-month follow-up. These and previous findings underline the importance of considering the exact timing of cortisol application when used as an add-on treatment for extinction-based psychotherapy: post-exposure cortisol administration does not seem to be effective, but might promote fear renewal at the subjective level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Raeder
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr-University Bochum, BG-Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Armin Zlomuzica
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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White EC, Graham BM. Low estradiol is linked to increased skin conductance, but not subjective anxiety or affect, in response to an impromptu speech task. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 98:30-38. [PMID: 30092497 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Low estradiol is associated with impaired extinction of conditioned physiological fear responses (e.g. skin conductance) in females. As fear extinction is the laboratory basis of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, it has been speculated that estradiol may be related to the effectiveness of treatment for anxiety. The present study extended past research by examining whether estradiol is related to physiological and subjective fear responses during the impromptu speech task, where participants perform a surprise speech to camera. This task elicits psychosocial fear, and thus has relevance for social anxiety disorder (SAD). We used a quasi-experimental design with two groups of women: 39 naturally cycling women, and 19 women taking hormonal contraceptives. Based on the measured serum levels, naturally cycling women were further divided into women with higher- vs. lower estradiol levels. Compared to those with higher estradiol, women with lower estradiol, and those using hormonal contraceptives (chronically suppressed estradiol) displayed higher speech-elicited skin conductance yet reported no differences in subjective anxiety or affect. Conversely, irrespective of estradiol status, compared to those with low self-reported social anxiety, participants with higher social anxiety exhibited greater subjective anxiety and affect, yet no differences in skin conductance. These results demonstrate that the relationship between estradiol and physiological fear responses extends to psychosocial tasks. However, the dissociations between physiological and subjective measures highlight the need to consider the relevance of different response outputs so that the potential impact of estradiol on the treatment of anxiety disorders can be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C White
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bronwyn M Graham
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Merz CJ, Kinner VL, Wolf OT. Let's talk about sex … differences in human fear conditioning. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
Relapses represent a major limitation to the long-term remission of pathological fear and anxiety. Stress modulates the acquisition and expression of fear memories and appears to promote fear recovery in patients with anxiety disorders. However, the neural correlates underlying stress hormone effects on the return of fear in humans remain unexplored. Likewise, little is known about the interactions between sex and stress hormones on return of fear phenomena. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, 32 men and 32 women were exposed to a fear renewal paradigm with fear acquisition in context A and extinction in context B. On the following day, participants received either cortisol or placebo 40 min before return of fear was tested in both contexts in a renewal and reinstatement test. Cortisol increased differential conditioned skin conductance responses in the extinction context B following reinstatement in men but not in women. On the neural level, this effect was characterized by enhanced fear-related activation in the right amygdala in men, while an activation decrement in this region was observed after cortisol treatment in women. Our results revealed that cortisol promotes the return of fear in men by strengthening a key node of the fear network - the amygdala. We thereby provide novel insights into a sex-specific mechanism mediating stress-induced fear recovery which may translate into different relapse risks and treatment strategies for men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L Kinner
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
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41
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Pittig A, Treanor M, LeBeau RT, Craske MG. The role of associative fear and avoidance learning in anxiety disorders: Gaps and directions for future research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 88:117-140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Sundström-Poromaa I. The Menstrual Cycle Influences Emotion but Has Limited Effect on Cognitive Function. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2018; 107:349-376. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Merz CJ, Hamacher-Dang TC, Stark R, Wolf OT, Hermann A. Neural Underpinnings of Cortisol Effects on Fear Extinction. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:384-392. [PMID: 28948980 PMCID: PMC5729571 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Extinction of conditioned fear embodies a crucial mechanism incorporated in exposure therapy. Clinical studies demonstrated that application of the stress hormone cortisol before exposure sessions facilitates exposure success, but the underlying neural correlates remain unknown. Context- and stimulus-dependent cortisol effects on extinction learning will be characterized in this study and tested in the extinction and in a new context. Forty healthy men participated in a 3-day fear conditioning experiment with fear acquisition in context A (day 1), extinction training in context B (day 2), and recall in context B and a new context C one week later (day 3). Hydrocortisone (30 mg) or placebo was given before extinction training. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent responses and skin conductance responses (SCRs) served as dependent measures. At the beginning of extinction training, cortisol reduced conditioned SCRs, diminished activation of the amygdala-hippocampal complex, and enhanced functional connectivity of the anterior parahippocampal gyrus with the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). After one week, the cortisol group showed increased hippocampal activation and connectivity to the vmPFC toward an extinguished stimulus and reduced insula activation toward a nonextinguished stimulus in the extinction context. However, this inhibitory cortisol effect did not extend to the new context. Taken together, cortisol reduced fear recall at the beginning of extinction and facilitated the consolidation of the extinction memory as evidenced by an inhibitory activation pattern one week later. The stress hormone exerted a critical impact on the amygdala-hippocampus-vmPFC network underlying fear and extinction memories. However, cortisol did not attenuate the context dependency of extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Josef Merz
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany,Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany, Tel: +49 234 3224498, Fax: +49 234 14308, E-mail:
| | | | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Tobias Wolf
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany,Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Forcadell E, Torrents-Rodas D, Vervliet B, Leiva D, Tortella-Feliu M, Fullana MA. Does fear extinction in the laboratory predict outcomes of exposure therapy? A treatment analog study. Int J Psychophysiol 2017; 121:63-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Forcadell E, Torrents-Rodas D, Treen D, Fullana MA, Tortella-Feliu M. Attentional Control and Fear Extinction in Subclinical Fear: An Exploratory Study. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1654. [PMID: 29018384 PMCID: PMC5622961 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Attentional control (AC) and fear extinction learning are known to be involved in pathological anxiety. In this study we explored whether individual differences in non-emotional AC were associated with individual differences in the magnitude and gradient of fear extinction (learning and recall). In 50 individuals with fear of spiders, we collected measures of non-emotional AC by means of self-report and by assessing the functioning of the major attention networks (executive control, orienting, and alerting). The participants then underwent a paradigm assessing fear extinction learning and extinction recall. The two components of the orienting network functioning (costs and benefits) were significantly associated with fear extinction gradient over and above the effects of trait anxiety. Specifically, participants with enhanced orienting costs (i.e., difficulties in disengaging attention from cues not relevant for the task) showed faster extinction learning, while those with enhanced orienting benefits (i.e., attention facilitated by valid cues) exhibited faster extinction recall as measured by fear-potentiated startle and Unconditioned Stimulus expectancies, respectively. Our findings suggest that, in non-emotional conditions, the orienting component of attention may be predictive of fear extinction. They also show that the use of fear extinction gradients and the exploration of individual differences in non-emotional AC (using performance-based measures of attentional network functioning) can provide a better understanding of individual differences in fear learning. Our findings also may help to understand differences in exposure therapy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Forcadell
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Mental Health, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí I3PT, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain
| | - David Torrents-Rodas
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Specialized Department in Mental Health and Intellectual Disability, Institut Assistència Sanitària (IAS), Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona, Parc Hospitalari Martí i Julià, Salt, Spain
| | - Devi Treen
- Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel A Fullana
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Anxiety Unit, Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Hospital del Mar, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.,IMIM, Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel Tortella-Feliu
- University Research Institute on Health Sciencies (IUNICS), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Mallorca, Spain.,PROMOSAM Red de Investigación en Procesos, Mecanismos y Tratamientos Psicológicos para la Promoción de la Salud Mental, Mallorca, Spain
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More than just noise: Inter-individual differences in fear acquisition, extinction and return of fear in humans - Biological, experiential, temperamental factors, and methodological pitfalls. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 80:703-728. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Contribution of stress and sex hormones to memory encoding. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 82:51-58. [PMID: 28501551 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Distinct stages of the menstrual cycle and the intake of oral contraceptives (OC) affect sex hormone levels, stress responses, and memory processes critically involved in the pathogenesis of mental disorders. To characterize the interaction of sex and stress hormones on memory encoding, 30 men, 30 women in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (FO), 30 women in the luteal phase (LU), and 30 OC women were exposed to either a stress (socially evaluated cold-pressor test) or a control condition prior to memory encoding and immediate recall of neutral, positive, and negative words. On the next day, delayed free and cued recall was tested. Sex hormone levels verified distinct estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels between groups. Stress increased blood pressure, cortisol concentrations, and ratings of stress appraisal in all four groups as well as cued recall performance of negative words in men. Stress exposure in OC women led to a blunted cortisol response and rather enhanced cued recall of neutral words. Thus, pre-encoding stress facilitated emotional cued recall performance in men only, but not women with different sex hormone statuses pointing to the pivotal role of circulating sex hormones in modulation of learning and memory processes.
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Neuropsychological function in relation to dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2017; 215:224-229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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The role of glucocorticoids in emotional memory reconsolidation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 142:126-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Lonsdorf TB, Menz MM, Andreatta M, Fullana MA, Golkar A, Haaker J, Heitland I, Hermann A, Kuhn M, Kruse O, Meir Drexler S, Meulders A, Nees F, Pittig A, Richter J, Römer S, Shiban Y, Schmitz A, Straube B, Vervliet B, Wendt J, Baas JMP, Merz CJ. Don't fear 'fear conditioning': Methodological considerations for the design and analysis of studies on human fear acquisition, extinction, and return of fear. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 77:247-285. [PMID: 28263758 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 483] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The so-called 'replicability crisis' has sparked methodological discussions in many areas of science in general, and in psychology in particular. This has led to recent endeavours to promote the transparency, rigour, and ultimately, replicability of research. Originating from this zeitgeist, the challenge to discuss critical issues on terminology, design, methods, and analysis considerations in fear conditioning research is taken up by this work, which involved representatives from fourteen of the major human fear conditioning laboratories in Europe. This compendium is intended to provide a basis for the development of a common procedural and terminology framework for the field of human fear conditioning. Whenever possible, we give general recommendations. When this is not feasible, we provide evidence-based guidance for methodological decisions on study design, outcome measures, and analyses. Importantly, this work is also intended to raise awareness and initiate discussions on crucial questions with respect to data collection, processing, statistical analyses, the impact of subtle procedural changes, and data reporting specifically tailored to the research on fear conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina B Lonsdorf
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Mareike M Menz
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marta Andreatta
- University of Würzburg, Department of Psychology, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Miguel A Fullana
- Anxiety Unit, Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Hospital del Mar, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain; IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Armita Golkar
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychology Section, Stockholm, Sweden; University of Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Psychology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan Haaker
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Hamburg, Germany; Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychology Section, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivo Heitland
- Utrecht University, Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Department of Psychology, Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Giessen, Germany
| | - Manuel Kuhn
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Systems Neuroscience, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Onno Kruse
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Department of Psychology, Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Giessen, Germany
| | - Shira Meir Drexler
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ann Meulders
- KU Leuven, Health Psychology, Leuven, Belgium; Maastricht University, Research Group Behavioral Medicine, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frauke Nees
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andre Pittig
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jan Richter
- University of Greifswald, Department of Physiological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sonja Römer
- Saarland University, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Youssef Shiban
- University of Regensburg, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Anja Schmitz
- University of Regensburg, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Philipps-University Marburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Marburg, Germany
| | - Bram Vervliet
- KU Leuven, Centre for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Excellence on Generalization, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julia Wendt
- University of Greifswald, Department of Physiological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Johanna M P Baas
- Utrecht University, Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christian J Merz
- Ruhr-University Bochum, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Bochum, Germany
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