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Bjørklund G, Semenova Y. Serum Levels of Cortisol and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and their Association with Depression in Environmentally Exposed Populations in Kazakhstan. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3715-3723. [PMID: 38010559 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03780-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the serum levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and the prevalence of depression in the environmentally exposed population of Kazakhstan compared to the environmentally unexposed populations. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the capacity of cortisol and ACTH to predict moderate and severe depression in populations exposed to environmental risk factors. This cross-sectional study included 1881 nominally healthy individuals aged between 18-52 years who were lifelong residents of Abay, Borodulikha, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Aksay, and Berezovka settlements, which are characterized by exposure to various types of environmental pollutants. Comparisons were made with residents of control sites with no known industrial or radioactive pollution (Uralsk and Kurchum). The Russian version of the PHQ-9 questionnaire was used to evaluate the presence and severity of depression. Serum cortisol levels were measured using solid-phase chemiluminescent immunoassay, while serum ACTH levels were tested with chemiluminescent assays. Populations exposed to environmental pollution from condensate gas extraction (Berezovka and Aksay) had higher median serum cortisol concentrations. However, the populations of the two controls had the highest median serum levels of ACTH. The median total PHQ-9 scores were the lowest in residents of control sites, which also had the highest proportion of individuals with no or minimal depression. Both serum cortisol and ACTH identified moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression. The findings highlight the potential impact of environmental pollution on stress hormone levels and depression, calling for further research and public health interventions to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610, Mo I Rana, Norway.
- Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan.
| | - Yuliya Semenova
- Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
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Heming M, Angerer P, Apolinário-Hagen J, Liszio S, Nater UM, Skoluda N, Weber J. Hair cortisol concentration and its association with acute stress responses and recovery in a sample of medical students in Germany. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 163:106986. [PMID: 38367529 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.106986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experiencing acute and chronic stress can contribute to adverse health outcomes. Responses to acute stress differ between individuals (i.e., stress reactivity) and the experience of chronic stress has been discussed to be associated with acute stress responses and stress recovery. This study thus aims to investigate whether hair cortisol concentration (HCC), being an indicator for hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity over a prolonged period of time, is associated with acute stress responses and recovery in a sample of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS From July 2020 to July 2021, medical students (n = 54) underwent a virtual-reality Trier Social Stress Test in which their blood pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured, and hair samples were taken to determine HCC. Piecewise linear growth analyses were used to investigate whether HCC (categorized into low, medium and high levels) is associated with acute stress responses and recovery regarding blood pressure and HRV. RESULTS Significant interaction effects in piecewise linear growth analyses showed that participants with higher levels of HCC had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses compared to participants with medium levels of HCC. No significant interaction effects were observed for HRV responses or for recovery measures. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that higher levels of HCC are associated with a lower cardiovascular response in terms of blood pressure to an acute stressor in medical students. Therefore, long-term HPA-axis activity may contribute to different magnitudes of acute stress responses in the autonomic nervous system. As the shown lower blood pressure responses to acute stress in individuals with increased long-term HPA-axis activity may represent inadequate stress responses, these should be further studied in order to find out more about their interaction and potential subsequent disease risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Heming
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Peter Angerer
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jennifer Apolinário-Hagen
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Liszio
- Center for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Urs Markus Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria; University Research Platform "The Stress of Life (SOLE) - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress", University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jeannette Weber
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Kische H, Voss C, Haring R, Ollmann TM, Pieper L, Kirschbaum C, Beesdo-Baum K. Hair androgen concentrations and depressive disorders in adolescents from the general population. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:1375-1389. [PMID: 35112167 PMCID: PMC10326161 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01929-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the link between androgens and depression is well established in adults, the effects of cofactors on this association are less clearly understood, particularly in youth. Epidemiological cohort study of adolescents in Dresden, Germany. Analyses comprised data of 985 individuals assessed at baseline and of 512 individuals at 1-year follow-up. We investigated multivariable regression models for cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of hair testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and their cortisol ratios with 12-month diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD) and MDD without any anxiety disorder assessed with standardized diagnostic interview (DIA-X-5), and with dimensional depression scores (PHQ-9, PROMIS), separately for males and females. The potential moderating effect of social support was determined. Cross-sectional analyses yielded inverse associations of testosterone and DHEA with MDD and MDD without any anxiety disorders in males. In cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, baseline ratio cortisol/DHEA was significantly, inversely associated to PROMIS-depression in males. Only cross-sectional associations for ratio cortisol/DHEA and PROMIS-depression remained significant after Bonferroni-Holm correction. No robust associations were observed in female participants. Social support exerted no consistent moderating effect on the investigated association. The present observational cohort study showed no consistent association of hair androgen concentrations with depressive disorders in adolescents. However, findings provide some support for the association between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and depression in males. Longitudinal research designs in large samples are needed to understand the interplay between androgens, depression, and developmental and social factors in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kische
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Catharina Voss
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Robin Haring
- Faculty of Applied Public Health, European University of Applied Sciences, Rostock, Germany
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Theresa Magdalena Ollmann
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars Pieper
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Beesdo-Baum
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Behavioral Epidemiology, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Li Y, Jia W, Yan N, Hua Y, Han T, Yang J, Ma L, Ma L. Associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2023; 329:438-447. [PMID: 36868386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This review systematically examined the associations between chronic stress and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in children, and the potential modification effects of type, measurement period and scales of chronic stress, child age and sex, hair length and HCC measurement method, characteristics of study site, and congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC. METHODS Pubmed, Wed of Science, and APA PsycINFO were systematically searched for articles examining the association between chronic stress and HCC. RESULTS Thirteen studies from five countries with 1,455 participants were included in the systematic review and nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed that chronic stress was associated with HCC (pooled-r = 0.09, 95 % CI: 0.03, 0.16). Stratified analyses revealed that type, measurement time and scales of chronic stress, hair length and measurement method of HCC, and the congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC modified such correlations. The positive correlations between chronic stress and HCC were significant for studies measuring chronic stress as stressful life events, assessing chronic stress within the past six months, extracting HCC from 1 cm, 3 cm, or 6 cm of hair, measuring HCC by LC-MS/MS, or having congruence between time periods measured for chronic stress and HCC. The potential modifying effects of sex and country developmental status could not be concluded due to the limited number of studies included. CONCLUSIONS Chronic stress was positively correlated with HCC, varying by characteristics and measurements of chronic stress and HCC. HCC could be a biomarker for chronic stress among children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wanru Jia
- Department of Disease Prevention and Control, Xi 'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Na Yan
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yiming Hua
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tuo Han
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Lu Ma
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, China.
| | - Le Ma
- School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, China.
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Teo CH, Wong ACH, Sivakumaran RN, Parhar I, Soga T. Gender Differences in Cortisol and Cortisol Receptors in Depression: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087129. [PMID: 37108291 PMCID: PMC10138698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress is known to have a significant impact on mental health. While gender differences can be found in stress response and mental disorders, there are limited studies on the neuronal mechanisms of gender differences in mental health. Here, we discuss gender and cortisol in depression as presented by recent clinical studies, as well as gender differences in the role of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) in stress-associated mental disorders. When examining clinical studies drawn from PubMed/MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine) and EMBASE, salivary cortisol generally showed no gender correlation. However, young males were reported to show heightened cortisol reactivity compared to females of similar age in depression. Pubertal hormones, age, early life stressors, and types of bio-samples for cortisol measurement affected the recorded cortisol levels. The role of GRs and MRs in the HPA axis could be different between males and females during depression, with increased HPA activity and upregulated MR expression in male mice, while the inverse happened in female mice. The functional heterogeneity and imbalance of GRs and MRs in the brain may explain gender differences in mental disorders. This knowledge and understanding will support the development of gender-specific diagnostic markers involving GRs and MRs in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuin Hau Teo
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ally Chai Hui Wong
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Rooba Nair Sivakumaran
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar Parhar
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tomoko Soga
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
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Brandt JM, Hemager N, Ellersgaard D, Gregersen M, Søndergaard A, Ohland J, Søborg Spang K, Christiani C, Burton BK, Greve A, Hjorthøj C, Mors O, Plessen KJ, Møllegaard Jepsen JR, Nordentoft M, Elgaard Thorup AA. Hair cortisol concentrations and perceived stress in 7-year-old children at familial high-risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110750. [PMID: 36921662 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of the HPA-axis, perceived stress and interpersonal trauma are associated with an elevated risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Being at familial high-risk of these two mental disorders also constitutes an increased risk. In this study, we aimed to investigate hair cortisol concentrations and perceived stress among 7-year-old children at familial high-risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ), bipolar disorder (FHR-BP), and population-based controls (controls). METHODS A total of 515 children (mean age 7.8, SD 0.2) from baseline assessment of the Danish High Risk and Resilience Study - VIA 7 participated in this study. Hair cortisol concentrations were analyzed among 322 children (FHR-SZ; N = 111, FHR-BP; N = 82, controls; N = 129). Perceived stress was assessed with the Daily Life Stressor Scale including 512 children (FHR-SZ; N = 195, FHR-BP; N = 118, controls; N = 199). Interpersonal trauma was measured with face-to-face interviews. RESULTS Seven-year-old children at FHR-SZ or FHR-BP did not have a higher level of hair cortisol concentrations compared with controls (FHR-SZ: mean: 5.10, 95%CI 3.69-6.52; FHR-BP: mean: 5.01, 95%CI 3.27-6.72; controls: mean: 4.51, 95%CI 3.61-5.40; p = 0.77). Self-reported perceived stress was higher among children at FHR-SZ and FHR-BP compared with controls (FHR-SZ: mean: 12.09, 95%CI 10.99-13.19; FHR-BP: mean: 10.69, 95%CI 9.38-11.99; controls: mean: 8.90, 95%CI 8.13-9.68; p < 0.001). There was no significant association between hair cortisol concentrations and perceived stress (p = 0.84). Exploratory analyses revealed that interpersonal trauma exposure was neither associated with elevated hair cortisol nor perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS Children at FHR-SZ and FHR-BP did not exhibit higher levels of hair cortisol concentrations at age 7, while both FHR-groups had higher level of self-reported perceived stress compared with controls. Early attention to stress in children at FHR is crucial and these vulnerabilities should be targeted in future interventions studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Marie Brandt
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Denmark.
| | - Nicoline Hemager
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Denmark
| | - Ditte Ellersgaard
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark
| | - Maja Gregersen
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Denmark
| | - Anne Søndergaard
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Denmark
| | - Jessica Ohland
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark
| | - Katrine Søborg Spang
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark
| | - Camilla Christiani
- Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Klee Burton
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Denmark; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital - Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Aja Greve
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Skejby, Denmark
| | - Carsten Hjorthøj
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen, Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, Denmark
| | - Ole Mors
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Skejby, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Kerstin Jessica Plessen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Lausanne and University of Lausanne, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Denmark; Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Denmark
| | - Merete Nordentoft
- CORE - Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark; The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Denmark
| | - Anne Amalie Elgaard Thorup
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research - iPSYCH, Denmark; University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Denmark; Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center, Denmark
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Looser VN, Ludyga S, Gerber M. Does heart rate variability mediate the association between chronic stress, cardiorespiratory fitness, and working memory in young adults? Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023; 33:609-618. [PMID: 36631930 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14308] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Young adulthood is a demanding development phase rendering individuals at risk for high levels of stress. While chronic stress may impair working memory maintenance, cardiorespiratory fitness is suggested to have a protective effect. Heart rate variability (HRV) contributes to this cognitive domain, but also retaliates to stress and aerobic exercise. Therefore, the present study investigated the mediating role of resting HRV on the association between chronic stress, cardiorespiratory fitness, and working memory maintenance in young healthy adults. Healthy participants (N = 115, 48% female) aged 18-35 years (M = 24.1, SD = 3.8) completed the Åstrand test on a bicycle ergometer to estimate maximal oxygen consumption [ V ̇ O 2 max $$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\max } $$ (ml/min/kg)]. In addition, working memory maintenance was assessed using the modified Sternberg task with low (three items) and high cognitive load (six items). Using electrocardiography, HRV was recorded and the LF/HF ratio was extracted for mediation analyses. Path analysis revealed that cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly associated with accuracy on high cognitive load trials (β = 0.19, p = 0.035), but not on trials with low cognitive load. Perceived levels of chronic stress failed to show a significant association with working memory maintenance, independently of cognitive load. The pattern of results remained unchanged after introduction of HRV as a mediator (β = 0.18, p = 0.045). In conclusion, higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with better maintenance of verbal information in working memory. However, this association cannot be explained by vagal influences on memory processing driven by the autonomic nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Nina Looser
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Ludyga
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Mlili NE, Ahabrach H, Cauli O. Hair Cortisol Concentration as a Biomarker of Symptoms of Depression in the Perinatal Period. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2023; 22:71-83. [PMID: 35297354 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220316122605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a sensitive period when women experience major hormonal and psychological changes. A high prevalence of the symptoms of depression and manifested major depression rates have been reported during this period, leading to negative outcomes both for mothers and the offspring. Despite its prevalence, the aetiology of depression is not yet fully understood. Nonetheless, alterations in cortisol levels have been proposed as a reliable biomarker to identify pregnant women at risk of perinatal depression. Hair cortisol has recently been extensively used in bio-psychological studies as a suitable non-invasive biomarker for several neuropsychiatric disorders. Various studies have published evidence regarding the relationship between cortisol fluctuations during the perinatal period, measured both in hair and in other substrates, and the onset of perinatal symptoms of depression. This current review provides an overview of cortisol level changes measured in women's hair during pregnancy or the postpartum period and its association with perinatal symptoms of depression. Further studies, including repetitive measurement of both hair cortisol and depression throughout the prenatal period, must be performed to clarify the relationship between cortisol levels and perinatal symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisrin El Mlili
- Institut Supérieur des Professions Infirmières et Techniques de Santé (ISPITS), Tetouan, Morocco
- Department of Physiology and Physiopathology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essâadi, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Hanan Ahabrach
- Institut Supérieur des Professions Infirmières et Techniques de Santé (ISPITS), Tetouan, Morocco
- Department of Physiology and Physiopathology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essâadi, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Omar Cauli
- Department of Nursing, University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
- Frailty and Cognitive Impairment Group (FROG), University of Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
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Karabatsiakis A, de Punder K, Salinas-Manrique J, Todt M, Dietrich DE. Hair cortisol level might be indicative for a 3PM approach towards suicide risk assessment in depression: comparative analysis of mentally stable and depressed individuals versus individuals after completing suicide. EPMA J 2022; 13:383-395. [PMID: 36061827 PMCID: PMC9425778 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-022-00296-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Depression and suicidal behavior are interrelated, stress-associated mental health conditions, each lacking biological verifiability. Concepts of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM) are almost completely missing for both conditions but are of utmost importance. Prior research reported altered levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the scalp hair of depressed individuals, however, data on hair cortisol levels (HCL) for suicide completers (SC) are missing. Here, we aimed to identify differences in HCL between subject with depression (n = 20), SC (n = 45) and mentally stable control subjects (n = 12) to establish the usage of HCL as a new target for 3PM. HCL was measured in extracts of pulverized hair (1-cm and 3-cm hair segments) using ELISA. In 3-cm hair segments, an average increase in HCL for depressed patients (1.66 times higher; p = .011) and SC (5.46 times higher; p = 1.65 × 10−5) compared to that for controls was observed. Furthermore, the average HCL in SC was significantly increased compared to that in the depressed group (3.28 times higher; p = 1.4 × 10−5). A significant correlation between HCL in the 1-cm and the 3-cm hair segments, as well as a significant association between the severity of depressive symptoms and HCL (3-cm segment) was found. To conclude, findings of increased HCL in subjects with depression compared to that in controls were replicated and an additional increase in HCL was seen in SC in comparison to patients with depression. The usage of HCL for creating effective patient stratification and predictive approach followed by the targeted prevention and personalization of medical services needs to be validated in follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Karabatsiakis
- Department of Clinical Psychology II, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Karin de Punder
- Department of Clinical Psychology II, Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Melanie Todt
- Institutes for Forensic Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Detlef E. Dietrich
- AMEOS Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hildesheim, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Jia R, Carlisle S, Vedhara K. The Association of Lifestyle and Mood with Long-Term Levels of Cortisol: A Systematic Review. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2036487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ru Jia
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Sophie Carlisle
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Kavita Vedhara
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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11
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Lines RLJ, Ducker KJ, Ntoumanis N, Thøgersen-Ntoumani C, Fletcher D, Gucciardi DF. Stress, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and resilience-The effects of naturalistic periods of elevated stress: A measurement-burst study. Psychophysiology 2021; 58:e13846. [PMID: 34124785 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Stress is an important consideration for understanding why individuals take part in limited or no physical activity. The negative effects of stress on physical activity do not hold for everyone, so examinations of possible resilience resources that might protect individuals from the harmful effects of stress are required. Accordingly, we conducted a measurement-burst study with 53 university students over a 6-month period to examine the dynamics among stress, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and resilience resources. Participants completed three bursts of 6 days, with each burst separated by an 8-week gap. Expectations regarding the moderating effects of resilience resources were unsupported. Daily reports of academic and general stress were positively associated with sedentary behavior and negatively associated with light and moderate intensity physical activity. Hair cortisol concentration significantly moderated the association between academic stress and sedentary behavior, such that in bursts where cortisol was lower the daily positive association between stress and sedentary behavior was weaker. The finding that academic and general stress are dynamically associated with lower levels of light and moderate intensity physical activity and higher levels of sedentary behavior is an important extension to previous research, which has relied mainly on cross-sectional designs and self-report methods. Future research might examine resilience resources that are specific to the outcomes of interest rather than rely on generic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L J Lines
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Physical Activity and Well-being Research Group, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Kagan J Ducker
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nikos Ntoumanis
- Physical Activity and Well-being Research Group, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani
- Physical Activity and Well-being Research Group, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - David Fletcher
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Daniel F Gucciardi
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Physical Activity and Well-being Research Group, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Younes ZMH, Abuali AM, Tabba S, Farooqi MH, Hassoun AAK. Prevalence of diabetes distress and depression and their association with glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Pediatr Diabetes 2021; 22:683-691. [PMID: 33745208 DOI: 10.1111/pedi.13204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diabetes distress and depression have been shown to be prevalent among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and screening for these parameters should be a routine part of diabetes care. To assess the prevalence of diabetes distress and depression and their association with glycemic control in a sample of adolescents with type 1 diabetes attending a diabetes center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. All adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes that were seeking treatment at the Dubai Diabetes Center from the period of September 1, 2018 to May 1, 2019. A total of 72 participants completed the study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Adolescents were asked to fill in questionnaires assessing diabetes distress and depression. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between the subsets of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and the scores of the questionnaires. RESULTS The mean HbA1c of the study sample was 9.61% [82 mmol/mol] with higher levels found in females as compared with males (p<0.05). Females showed significantly greater levels of distress as compared with males. Although adolescents with HbA1c≥7.5% scored higher for diabetes distress and depression, the difference was not statistically significant to those with an HbA1c of <7.5%. Higher levels of diabetes distress were highly correlated with depressive symptoms, with distress and depression both being significant predictors of one another. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance of implementing and sustaining psycho-educational interventions to aid in alleviating diabetes distress and depression in this subgroup of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alaa M Abuali
- Dubai Diabetes Center, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE
| | - Shadi Tabba
- Dubai Diabetes Center, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, UAE
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13
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Kische H, Ollmann TM, Voss C, Hoyer J, Rückert F, Pieper L, Kirschbaum C, Beesdo-Baum K. Associations of saliva cortisol and hair cortisol with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and major depressive disorder: An epidemiological cohort study in adolescents and young adults. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 126:105167. [PMID: 33592366 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Most of the observed associations of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with cortisol concentrations came from clinical and adult study samples, with inconsistent findings, partly due to method variance. We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between GAD, SAD and MDD with saliva and hair cortisol as well as hair cortisol change in a population-based sample of adolescents and young adults, considering relevant co-factors. DESIGN Epidemiological cohort study in Dresden, Germany. Data of 1050 individuals (mean age: 17.2 years) assessed at baseline (11/2015-12/2016) and of 605 individuals assessed at 1-year follow-up (FU1) are used. METHODS Multivariable regression models were implemented to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of DSM-5 defined 12-month diagnoses of GAD, SAD, and MDD, with short-term (saliva cortisol: cortisol awakening response (CAR) and area under the curve (AUC) as total cortisol) and long-term (hair cortisol) cortisol indices. Multivariable models were adjusted for age or "tanner" stage, waist circumference, tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and hair cortisol dependent confounder. Sex-specific analyses were additionally conducted. RESULTS Cross-sectional analyses revealed positive associations between SAD and baseline saliva cortisol in multivariable models (CAR: β-coefficient: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01; 0.23) but could not be confirmed after adjusting for "tanner" stage or comorbid depression. Cross-sectional analyses concerning GAD and MDD in the full baseline sample yielded no significant associations. Sex-specific linear models revealed a significant inverse cross-sectional association between MDD (β-coefficient: - 2.21; 95% CI: - 3.64; - 0.79) as well as SAD (β-coefficient: - 2.21; 95% CI: - 4.03; - 0.38) with baseline hair cortisol in males, but not in females. In longitudinal analyses, no significant associations were found in the fully adjusted model, except for a positive association between hair cortisol change between baseline and FU1 and FU1-SAD (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02; 1.12). CONCLUSIONS Results confirmed sex-specificity and the role of pubertal development in the association between cortisol with SAD and MDD, while no association emerged regarding cortisol and GAD. Future research in adolescents focusing on the role of cortisol in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depressive disorders would benefit from considering factors like sex-specificity and puberty development as well as comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kische
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Theresa Magdalena Ollmann
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Catharina Voss
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jana Hoyer
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Centre for Obesity, Städtisches Klinikum Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Rückert
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars Pieper
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katja Beesdo-Baum
- Behavioral Epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies (CELOS), Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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14
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[Hair cortisol as chronic stress parameter in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]. Herz 2020; 46:235-242. [PMID: 33026485 DOI: 10.1007/s00059-020-04990-4] [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: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stress is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. New analytical methods enable the determination of cortisol concentrations in hair (HCC) as a retrospective long-term parameter for chronic stress. So far, it is still uncertain whether stress objectively measured by an increase in HCC might be a predictive factor associated with the development of an acute myocardial infarction. METHODS Included in this study were 40 patients with an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), confirmed by electrocardiography (ECG). The control group consisted of 80 patients without coronary artery disease (CAD). RESULTS Patients with STEMI did not show significantly higher HCCs (p = 0.846) compared to the control group and there was no correlation with the extent of myocardial infarction (p = 0.701, r = 0.038). Correlations were found between HCC, diabetes mellitus (p = 0.046, odds ratio, OR = 6.346), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration (p = 0.107) and glycated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) concentration (p = 0.083, r = 0.236). Furthermore, there was an association between an increased HCC and chronic heart failure (p = 0.110) and an association to the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) concentration (p = 0.005, r = 0.293). CONCLUSION The results of this study showed that patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction did not have significantly higher levels of hair cortisol compared to the reference group; however, long-term metabolic changes as well as advanced chronic heart failure appear to be long-acting stress factors for the organism and increase cortisol levels in hair.
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Kluczniok D, Bertsch K, Hindi Attar C, Neukel C, Fuchs A, Jaite C, Dittrich K, Bödeker K, Heinz A, Winter S, Brunner R, Herpertz SC, Bermpohl F. Early life maltreatment and depression: Mediating effect of maternal hair cortisol concentration on child abuse potential. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 120:104791. [PMID: 32683140 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal early life maltreatment (ELM) and history of depression can bear a risk for adverse development in the child. One neurobiological pathway for the transmission of both maternal ELM and remitted depression (MDD) might be altered maternal cortisol levels. In the present study, we examine (1) main and interacting effects of maternal ELM and remitted MDD on hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in mothers, whether (2) maternal HCC explains the association between maternal ELM or remitted MDD and maternal child abuse potential, and (3) whether maternal child abuse potential as well as maternal HCC are associated with maternal report of child well-being. METHODS The current study involved 127 mother-child dyads. Maternal history of ELM and psychopathology were assessed via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) and Childhood Experience and Care (CECA) interview. The Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) was used to assess maternal child abuse and neglect potential. We applied the Kidscreen-27 parent report to study child well-being. To assess HCC, hair strands were taken from the mothers. To test the research questions, a two-factorial analysis of covariance, mediation analysis using ordinary least squares regressions with bootstrapping, and Pearson correlations were calculated. RESULTS Mothers with ELM had significantly increased HCC. There was no effect of remitted MDD on HCC, nor an interaction effect of both factors. HCC was a significant mediator of the association between maternal ELM and maternal child abuse potential. Maternal child abuse potential as well as HCC were significantly associated with reduced child well-being. DISCUSSION Our data suggest that adverse experiences in childhood are associated with altered HPA-axis functioning reflected in increased levels of HCC. HPA-axis activity is not altered in mothers with remitted MDD. From a clinical point of view, one might speculate that the partially mediating effect of maternal HCC could indicate a starting point in the prevention of the intergenerational cycle of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Kluczniok
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany; Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Catherine Hindi Attar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Corinne Neukel
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anna Fuchs
- Section for Disorders of Personality Development, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Charlotte Jaite
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Virchow, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Dittrich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Virchow, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Katja Bödeker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Virchow, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Sibylle Winter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Virchow, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department for General Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Bermpohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
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16
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Rababah J, Al-Hammouri MM, Drew BL, Ta'an W, Alawawdeh A, Dawood Z, Jawhar W. Validation of the Arabic version of the center for epidemiologic studies depression-revised: A comparison of the CESD-R and CESDR-12. J Affect Disord 2020; 274:450-456. [PMID: 32663975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression-Revised (CESD-R) is a widely used tool to screen for depression in the general population. An Arabic version of the CESD-R has not yet been translated and validated. Thus, this article reports the findings of two studies that were conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the CESD-R. METHODS Both studies were conducted using cross-sectional designs among college students from two large universities in Jordan. A total of 988 students were recruited from University A and 251 from University B. Data were collected using self-report measures of depression, perceived stress, and quality of life. Exploratory factor analysis was performed followed by a series of confirmatory factor analyses to compare different versions of the Arabic CESD-R. Measurement invariance was performed across both samples and gender of participants. RESULTS The analyses revealed that the goodness-of-fit indices for the 20-item version of the Arabic CESD-R are not supported. Alternatively, a shorter version (CESDR-12) was created and the results supported its reliability, validity, and measurement invariance. This version, compared to a 10-item version, is supported theoretically as the items are more reflective of the DSM-V criteria for diagnosing depression. LIMITATIONS The specificity and sensitivity of the CESDR-12 were not evaluated in this article. CONCLUSION The Arabic CESDR-12 is a reliable, valid tool to screen for depression. Considering the prevalence and potential consequences of depression among college students, this tool could be used to identify those at risk and provide timely counseling and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehad Rababah
- Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
| | | | - Barbara L Drew
- College of Nursing, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Wafa'a Ta'an
- Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ayat Alawawdeh
- Health Center, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
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Schilling R, Colledge F, Pühse U, Gerber M. Stress-buffering effects of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on metabolic syndrome: A prospective study in police officers. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236526. [PMID: 32722703 PMCID: PMC7386627 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a worldwide health concern related to cardiovascular disease. Stress at work increases the risk for MetS, whereas physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) have been shown to be potential buffers against stress. The aim of this study was to test the stress-buffering effects of physical activity and CF on the relationship between work stress and MetS. In a prospective study, we followed 97 police officers (mean age = 39.7 years; mean body mass index = 25.74 kg/m2) over one year and assessed MetS, as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Stress at work was measured with the Job Content Questionnaire, as well as the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed objectively via 7-day accelerometry. CF was assessed with the Åstrand bicycle ergometer test. Hierarchical linear regression models were carried out to predict MetS at follow-up (mean overall MetS score = 1.22), after controlling for baseline levels and sociodemographic background (mean overall MetS score = 1.19). Higher CF levels were significantly associated with lower MetS risk at follow-up (β = -.38). By contrast, no main effects were found for physical activity and work stress. However, high effort and demand were significantly correlated with increased blood pressure (effort: r = .23 for systolic blood pressure; r = .21 for diastolic blood pressure) and waist circumference (effort: r = .26; demand: r = .23). Moreover, no significant interaction effects occurred between work stress and CF/physical activity. The results emphasize the importance of high levels of CF in the prevention of MetS in police officers. Accordingly, provision of regular training opportunities and repeated CF testing should be considered as a strategy in overall corporate health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Schilling
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Flora Colledge
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Borçoi AR, Mendes SO, Gasparini Dos Santos J, Mota de Oliveira M, Moreno IAA, Freitas FV, Pinheiro JA, Arpini JK, Cunha ER, Archanjo AB, Evangelista Monteiro de Assis AL, Sorroche BP, Rebolho Batista Arantes LM, Borloti E, Álvares-da-Silva AM. Risk factors for depression in adults: NR3C1 DNA methylation and lifestyle association. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 121:24-30. [PMID: 31731185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to verify determinant factors for depression and analyze the relationship between possible changes in HPA axis and depression, in this case NR3C1 DNA methylation and serum cortisol levels. METHODS 349 adult volunteers were recruited to evaluate depression, socio-demographic, economic and lifestyle factors, serum cortisol levels and NR3C1 DNA methylation by pyrosequencing. Depression determinant factors were investigated using a Poisson regression model with robust variance (p < 0.05). RESULTS Poisson regression with robust variance adjusted by gender, tobacco use, self-perceived stress, leisure activity, suicidal ideation, low cortisol levels and NR3C1 DNA methylation was performed and predicted risk factors for depression. Furthermore, depressive volunteers showed a significant increase in NR3C1 DNA methylation when compared to healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS This findings provide a basis for understanding the role of HPA axis in depression, especially its regulation by NR3C1 DNA methylation. Furthermore, it emphasizes the stressful lifestyle risk factors (female, tobacco uso, self perceived stress, leisure activities absence and suicidal ideation) that can contribute to future research and the search for public health policies to improve quality of live, mental and general health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Ribeiro Borçoi
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil.
| | - Suzanny Oliveira Mendes
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Joaquim Gasparini Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Mayara Mota de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Ivana Alece Arantes Moreno
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Flávia Vitorino Freitas
- Departamento de Farmácia e Nutrição, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - Júlia Assis Pinheiro
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Juliana Krüger Arpini
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Ester Ribeiro Cunha
- Departmento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - Anderson Barros Archanjo
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Pereira Sorroche
- Centro de Pesquisas em Oncologia Molecular, Hospital do Cancer de Barretos, Barretos, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Elizeu Borloti
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Adriana Madeira Álvares-da-Silva
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia /Renorbio, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES, Brazil; Departmento de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, ES, Brazil
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Alirezaei P, Ahmadpanah M, Rezanejad A, Soltanian A, Sadeghi Bahmani D, Brand S. Compared to Controls, Individuals with Lichen Planopilaris Have More Depression, a Lower Self-Esteem, and a Lower Quality of Life. Neuropsychobiology 2019; 78:95-103. [PMID: 30970367 DOI: 10.1159/000499135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with lichen planopilaris (LPP) typically present with hair loss and an irritated scalp, with signs and symptoms such as itching, erythema, scaling, and burning. Both hair loss and reddened skin may be visible also for other people. Therefore, it is conceivable that individuals with LPP might report a lower mental health status. Accordingly, in the present study, we compared dimensions of mental health between individuals with LPP and healthy controls. METHOD A total of 38 individuals with LPP (mean age: 38.24 years, 47.4% females) and 58 gender- and age-matched controls took part in this study. They completed questionnaires covering dimensions of quality of life and self-esteem; experts rated participants' symptoms of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, dermatologists reported on the illness duration, the LPP activity index, and the severity of alopecia. RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, individuals with LPP reported lower scores of self-esteem, physical functioning, and mental health and higher scores of role limitations (physical and emotional). Likewise, experts rated higher depression scores in individuals with LPP compared to controls. In individuals with LPP, a higher LPP disease activity and a higher severity of hair loss were associated with higher depression and lower quality-of-life scores. Further, a higher LPP activity index, a lower self-esteem, and higher anxiety scores predicted a poorer quality of life, while illness duration was statistically unrelated. CONCLUSIONS Compared to controls, and irrespectively of the illness duration, individuals with LPP reported a lower quality of life and a lower self-esteem, and experts' ratings observed higher scores of depression. Experts treating individuals with LPP might pay special attention to the individuals' mental health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Alirezaei
- Psoriasis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (HUMS), Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ahmadpanah
- Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (HUMS), Hamadan, Iran
| | - Aliasghar Rezanejad
- Psoriasis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (HUMS), Hamadan, Iran
| | - Alireza Soltanian
- Department of Biostatistics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (HUMS), Hamadan, Iran
| | - Dena Sadeghi Bahmani
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran.,Sleep Disorders Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran.,Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Serge Brand
- Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders (ZASS), Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, .,Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Health Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran, .,Sleep Disorders Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran, .,Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,
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Prenatal and Postnatal Hair Steroid Levels Predict Post-Partum Depression 12 Weeks after Delivery. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8091290. [PMID: 31450789 PMCID: PMC6780455 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Within three to six months after delivery, 13%–19% of women suffer from post-partum depression (PPD), understood as a dysfunctional adaptation to the postpartum condition and motherhood. In the present cross-sectional study, we compared the hair steroid levels of women 12 weeks before and after delivery and with or without PPD. Method: The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted twelve weeks after delivery. At that time, 48 women (mean age: 25.9 years) with PPD and 50 healthy controls (mean age: 25.2 years) completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms. Further, at the same time point, 6 cm lengths of hair strands were taken, providing samples of hair steroids 12 weeks before and 12 weeks after delivery in order to analyze hair steroids (cortisol, cortisone, progesterone, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)). Results: Compared to those of women without PPD, hair steroid levels (cortisol, cortisone, progesterone) were significantly lower in women with PPD both before and after delivery. Lower prenatal cortisone and progesterone levels predicted higher depression scores 12 weeks after delivery. Lower prenatal levels of cortisol and progesterone and higher levels of DHEA, and postnatal lower levels of cortisol, cortisone, and progesterone, along with higher levels of DHEA predicted PPD-status with an accuracy of 98%. Conclusions: PPD is associated with blunted hair cortisol, cortisone, and progesterone secretions both pre- and postpartum. Such blunted steroid levels appear to reflect a stress responsivity that is less adaptive to acute and transient stressors. It follows that prenatally assessed low hair cortisol and progesterone levels, along with high DHEA levels, are reliable biomarkers of post-partum depression 12 weeks after delivery.
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Leeners B, Krüger THC, Geraedts K, Tronci E, Mancini T, Egli M, Röblitz S, Saleh L, Spanaus K, Schippert C, Zhang Y, Ille F. Associations Between Natural Physiological and Supraphysiological Estradiol Levels and Stress Perception. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1296. [PMID: 31244718 PMCID: PMC6579809 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is a risk factor for impaired general, mental, and reproductive health. The role of physiological and supraphysiological estradiol concentrations in stress perception and stress processing is less well understood. We, therefore, conducted a prospective observational study to investigate the association between estradiol, stress perception, and stress-related cognitive performance within serial measurements either during the natural menstrual cycle or during fertility treatment, where estradiol levels are strongly above the physiological level of a natural cycle, and consequently, represent a good model to study dose-dependent effects of estradiol. Data from 44 women receiving in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology in Zurich, Switzerland was compared to data from 88 women with measurements during their natural menstrual cycle. The German version of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Cognitive Bias Test (CBT), in which cognitive performance is tested under time stress were used to evaluate subjective and functional aspects of stress. Estradiol levels were investigated at four different time points during the menstrual cycle and at two different time points during a fertility treatment. Cycle phases were associated with PSQ worry and cognitive bias in normally cycling women, but different phases of fertility treatment were not associated with subjectively perceived stress and stress-related cognitive bias. PSQ lack of joy and PSQ demands related to CBT in women receiving fertility treatment but not in women with a normal menstrual cycle. Only strong changes of the estradiol level during fertility treatment were weakly associated with CBT, but not with subjectively experienced stress. Our research emphasizes the multidimensional character of stress and the necessity to adjust stress research to the complex nature of stress perception and processing. Infertility is associated with an increased psychological burden in patients. However, not all phases of the process to overcome infertility do significantly increase patient stress levels. Also, research on the psychological burden of infertility should consider that stress may vary during the different phases of fertility treatment. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT02098668.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Leeners
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tillmann H C Krüger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kirsten Geraedts
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Enrico Tronci
- Department of Computer Science, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Toni Mancini
- Department of Computer Science, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Marcel Egli
- Centre of Competence in Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Susanna Röblitz
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lanja Saleh
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Spanaus
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cordula Schippert
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fabian Ille
- Centre of Competence in Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Wang L, Xu B, Gu Y, Zhu J, Liang Y. The mediating and moderating effects of resilience on the relationship between perceived stress and depression in heroin addicts. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 47:495-503. [PMID: 30345512 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating and moderating roles of resilience on the relationship between perceived stress and depression among heroin addicts. A total of 138 heroin addicts completed the measures of perceived stress, resilience, and depression. Correlation analysis indicated that perceived stress was positively associated with depression. Resilience was negatively correlated with perceived stress and depression. Mediation analysis revealed that resilience partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and depression. However, resilience did not moderate the influence of perceived stress on depression. These findings might provide a better understanding of the mental health among heroin addicts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Banghua Xu
- NanJing Normal University
- Shenzhen Polytechnic
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23
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Xu Y, Liu Y, Chen Z, Zhang J, Deng H, Gu J. Interaction Effects of Life Events and Hair Cortisol on Perceived Stress, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Adolescents: Testing the Differential Susceptibility and Diathesis-Stress Models. Front Psychol 2019; 10:297. [PMID: 30890975 PMCID: PMC6411789 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The differential susceptibility model and the diathesis-stress model on the interaction effect between the individuals’ traits and environmental factors will be conducive to understand in depth whether the psychophysiological traits are the risk factors of child development. However, there is no study focusing on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. We examined whether the HPA activity serves as a physiological marker of the differential susceptibility model or the diathesis-stress model by exploring the interactive effect of life events and hair cortisol on perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents. The participants were 324 students in senior high school. They reported their psychological states with questionnaires in their first semester after a 3-month adaptation period; 2 weeks later, they provided 1-cm hair segments closest to the scalp. We measured hair cortisol concentration as a biomarker of HPA activity using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. There was a significant interaction effect of academic events and hair cortisol on adolescents’ perceived stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. We also observed a significant interaction between interpersonal events and hair cortisol on adolescents’ anxiety symptoms. Looking at the region of significance, proportion of interaction index, and proportion affected index, we found that adolescents with higher cortisol levels had a tendency to experience higher perceived stress and anxiety symptoms when they had high academic events scores, but lower perceived stress and anxiety symptoms when they had lower academic events scores. By contrast, adolescents with higher cortisol levels had a greater risk of experiencing high depressive symptoms only when they had higher academic events scores. Adolescents with higher cortisol levels also tended to have lower anxiety symptoms when they had higher interpersonal events scores, but greater anxiety symptoms when they had lower interpersonal events scores. These results suggested that HPA activity might serve as a biomarker of the differential susceptibility model for perceived stress and anxiety symptoms, while for depressive symptoms, it might serve as a marker of the diathesis-stress model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youyun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education and Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Special Children's Impairment and Intervention, Nanjing Normal University of Special Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Yapeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education and Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,College of Pro-school Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education and Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education and Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihua Deng
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education and Institute of Child Development and Education, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,College of Pro-school Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiexin Gu
- College of Foreign Studies, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
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24
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Liu CH, Doan SN. Innovations in biological assessments of chronic stress through hair and nail cortisol: Conceptual, developmental, and methodological issues. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 61:465-476. [PMID: 30740655 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Much of the existing research on biological mechanisms underlying the stress experience has focused largely on moment-to-moment stress, rather than on chronic stress, an arguably more powerful predictor of long-term outcomes. Recent methodological innovations have paved the way for new lines of research on chronic stress, with promising implications for developmental researchers and for those who study health and adversity. In particular, there are increasing studies that have focused on chronic stress assessments by relying on cortisol derived from hair and nails as a biomarker for chronic stress. In this paper, we provide an overview of their use, describe how hair and nail cortisol ought to be conceptualized differently across the lifespan, how developmental factors may impact its interpretation, and the circumstances under which its use may be more methodologically sensible. The purpose of this review is to provoke further discussion and encourage careful research designs that utilize hair and nail cortisol for understanding the effects of chronic stress exposure from the early developmental period, across adverse contexts, and in association with psychological and physical health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy H Liu
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Stacey N Doan
- Department of Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA
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25
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Xu Y, Li J, Xie Q, Deng H. Hair cortisol levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression in Chinese adolescents: Comparison between incarcerated and community populations. Psych J 2018; 8:147-157. [DOI: 10.1002/pchj.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Youyun Xu
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of Child Development and EducationSoutheast University Nanjing China
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Special Children's Impairment and InterventionNanjing Normal University of Special Education Nanjing China
| | - Jifeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of Child Development and EducationSoutheast University Nanjing China
| | - Qiaozhen Xie
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of Child Development and EducationSoutheast University Nanjing China
| | - Huihua Deng
- Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, and Institute of Child Development and EducationSoutheast University Nanjing China
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26
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Lu Q, Pan F, Ren L, Xiao J, Tao F. Sex differences in the association between internalizing symptoms and hair cortisol level among 10-12 year-old adolescents in China. PLoS One 2018. [PMID: 29522544 PMCID: PMC5844552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although numerous studies have described the relationship between HPA axis dysregulation and internalizing symptoms among adolescents, research using hair cortisol concentrations in pre- and young adolescent samples has not been reported. We investigated the association of self-reported internalizing symptoms with cortisol concertration in hair among pre- and young adolescents aged 10–12 years. Forty-six boys and 39 girls supplied a hair sample of at least 3 cm in length for an analysis of this period (3 months) cortisol excretion. Saliva cortisol reactivity to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C) also was assessed. The study found a positive association between ratings of depressive symptoms and cumulative levels of hair cortisol only in boys. Furthermore, higher ratings of anxiety symptoms were associated with lower hair cortisol concertration and lower saliva cortisol reactivity among girls. This study provides the first evidence for the notion that depressive symptoms in boys are associated with long-term cortisol concertration in hair, whereas anxiety symptoms in girls are associated with HPA-axis hypoactivity, when hair cortisol concentrations and saliva cortisol reactivity to acute stress are assessed concurrently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Lu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fada Pan
- Colleage of education science, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingling Ren
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Xiao
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- * E-mail:
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27
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Abstract
In the current study, we present data investigating the relationships among stress, sleep disturbance, self-control, and levels of cortisol (CORT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in fingernail clippings. Currently, hair CORT is the only routinely used noninvasive, validated, biomarker of chronic exposure to stress-related hormones. Nail clippings represent an important potential alternative sample matrix for assessing chronic hormone exposure, as it offers a different timeline of hormone incorporation than scalp hair, and may be obtainable from populations in which hair either is lacking or is unavailable for cultural reasons. Moreover, there is established precedent for using fingernail clippings to attain biomarker data. However, the value of nail hormone assessment for psychological research is currently unknown due to a paucity of information on the relations between nail hormone concentrations and environmental or psychological variables. In the present study, we collected data from a low income, minority population (N = 47; 97% African American) to demonstrate feasibility and acceptability of nail collection and analysis of the adrenal steroids CORT and DHEA. Participants reported on perceived stress, sleep and self-control abilities. Correlational analyses suggest that exposure to stressful events, disturbances in sleep and waking were associated with higher levels of nail DHEA, while self-control was associated with higher levels of nail CORT. We discuss the potential importance of this methodology for investigating biological, behavioral, and subjective indices of stress and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey N Doan
- a Department of Psychology , Claremont McKenna College , Claremont , CA , USA
| | - Gerrit DeYoung
- b School of Education , Boston University , Boston , MA , USA
| | | | - Cindy Liu
- d BIDMC-Mass. Mental Health Center , Boston , MA , USA
| | - Jerrold Meyer
- e Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Massachusetts , Amherst , MA , USA
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28
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Determinants of hair cortisol concentration in children: A systematic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 87:204-214. [PMID: 29112905 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several factors are known contribute to hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in adults. However, there is less research on determinants of HCC in children and adolescents. HCC is a valuable tool for medical research pertaining to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This review aims to assess the extent to which established determinants of HCC in adults have been consistently reported in children (birth - 18 years) and to identify determinants of HCC specific to this age group. METHODS Eligible studies were identified, selected and appraised as per PRISMA-P guidelines and as detailed in our systematic review protocol, registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42017056220). In view of contrasting methods and measures, a meta-analysis could not be done but a qualitative synthesis was performed. RESULTS Thirty-six studies were included in the analysis. Higher HCC is associated with male sex and anthropometry, particularly increased body mass index and waist circumference. There is preliminary evidence to suggest that socio-economic status is inversely related to child HCC, particularly with reference to caregiver education and income. Of note, most of the studies analysing socio-economic variables were performed in relatively equal societies. Hair wash frequency and use of hair products and treatments do not affect HCC when proximal segments of hair are used. There is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between HCC and age in children and adolescents. Further investigation is required to better delineate if and how the following are associated with HCC in children: hair colour, hair type, exposure to trauma and stressors, psychiatric illness, atopic illness, steroid use (including topical and inhaled steroids) and perinatal variables. CONCLUSIONS Sex and anthropometry are potential confounders and should be considered for adjustment in hair cortisol research. Hair wash frequency and use of hair products and treatments are not important confounders when proximal hair segments are used. A better understanding of HCC in children in relation to exposure to trauma and stressors is required before it can be used as a biomarker, particularly in terms of vulnerable developmental stages, definition and measurement of stress, and temporal relationship to stressors. Age, SES and other correlates also warrant further investigation.
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Gerber M, Ludyga S, Mücke M, Colledge F, Brand S, Pühse U. Low vigorous physical activity is associated with increased adrenocortical reactivity to psychosocial stress in students with high stress perceptions. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 80:104-113. [PMID: 28324699 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The pathways by which physical activity impacts on participants' health are still not fully understood. The purpose of the present study was to go beyond existing research by combining methods from survey-based and experimental stress research, and by examining whether the potential of vigorous physical activity (VPA) to attenuate physiological and psychological stress responses is moderated by participants' subjective stress perception. METHODS The sample consisted of 42 undergraduate students (M=21.2±2.2 years, 52% women). Participants self-reported their stress and wore an accelerometer device for seven consecutive days. To examine differences in the adrenocortical, autonomic and psychological stress reactivity, salivary free cortisol, heart rate, state anxiety, mood and calmness were assessed prior to, during and after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The cut-offs of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) were used to distinguish between students below/above current VPA recommendations. RESULTS High levels of perceived stress combined with VPA levels below the ACSM's standards (<3×20min/week) were associated with an increased salivary cortisol response to the TSST (p<.05). No significant group differences existed for heart rate. However, students with high stress/low VPA experienced less favourable affect throughout the entire testing session (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that VPA has a high stress-protective potential among undergraduate students with high stress levels. Our findings highlight that promoting VPA in young adults seems to be a promising strategy to increase physiological and psychological stress resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sebastian Ludyga
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Mücke
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Flora Colledge
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Brand
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Sport Science Section, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Meta-analytical assessment of the effects of protocol variations on cortisol responses to the Trier Social Stress Test. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 80:26-35. [PMID: 28292684 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is one of the most widely used laboratory stress tests. Exposure to this psychosocial stressor has been shown to stimulate an acute cortisol stress response in the majority of healthy individuals, while deviations from the typical pattern, i.e., cortisol reactivity dysfunctions have been linked to an ever-increasing number of negative health outcomes. However, significant variability between labs exists in strength of observed cortisol responses in healthy individuals. This variability raises the question of how to distinguish across labs between cortisol stress response patterns that reflect health risk from those that are due to methodological differences. Thus, we propose a systematic review and meta-analysis that aims at quantifying the effects of methodological variation in study and TSST protocol elements on cortisol stress responses in healthy individuals. METHODS Literature searches were conducted using standard databases for English language with key words including Trier Social Stress Test, TSST, Cortisol, and Laboratory Stressor among others. 186 studies met our inclusion criteria of healthy human participants without systemic immunological or endocrine dysfunction and provided sufficient information to compute a total of 237 sub-sample effect sizes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION With regard to study protocol variations that may risk confounding baseline cortisol values and thus influence subsequent reactivity measures, meta-analytical examination revealed that acclimation periods pre-TSST below 30 or perhaps even 15min may suffice, at least as long as no interfering activities, i.e., questionnaires, are taking place during that timeframe. Assessing the effects of TSST protocol variations on cortisol response strength, several observations are noteworthy. First, shortening speech preparation time did not change cortisol responses in any way, nor did including questionnaires during that period show an effect. As such, our findings suggest that speech preparation time is one TSST element that can be used to reduce the burden for participants as well as laboratory logistics. Secondly, having an all female panel and instructing panel members to show negative instead of neutral behavior towards the participants both were associated with considerably reduced cortisol stress response strengths. Thirdly, several variables of interest, such as content of the speech task or gender match between active panel member and participant, were problematic to evaluate due to the large number of studies not reporting those details. This calls for future studies to report more details regarding potentially relevant protocol specifications.
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Tarullo AR, St John AM, Meyer JS. Chronic stress in the mother-infant dyad: Maternal hair cortisol, infant salivary cortisol and interactional synchrony. Infant Behav Dev 2017; 47:92-102. [PMID: 28391126 PMCID: PMC5493894 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Stress physiology is shaped by early experience, with enduring effects on health. The relation of chronic maternal physiological stress, as indexed by hair cortisol, to infants' stress systems and to mother-infant interaction quality has not been established. We examined maternal hair and salivary cortisol, six-month-old infants' salivary cortisol, and mother-infant interaction in 121 mother-infant dyads. High maternal hair cortisol was related to higher infant average salivary cortisol concentration. Maternal hair cortisol and bedtime salivary cortisol were both uniquely related to infant bedtime salivary cortisol. Mothers with higher hair cortisol were more intrusive and had lower positive engagement synchrony with their infants. Maternal intrusiveness moderated the association of maternal hair cortisol and infant salivary cortisol, such that maternal hair and infant average salivary cortisol were related only when mothers were more intrusive. Maternal chronic physiological stress may upregulate infants' developing stress systems, particularly in the context of lower mother-infant interaction quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda R Tarullo
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States.
| | - Ashley Moore St John
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, United States
| | - Jerrold S Meyer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States
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Stress-related and basic determinants of hair cortisol in humans: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 77:261-274. [PMID: 28135674 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 534] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) is a relatively new strategy to measure long-term cumulative cortisol levels, which is increasingly used in psychoneuroendocrinological research. Here, we conduct a first comprehensive meta-analysis of HCC research based on aggregated data from a total of 124 (sub)samples (66 independent studies; total N=10,289). We seek to answer two central questions: (i) Which covariates and basic features of HCC need to be considered in future research? (ii) What are the main determinants of HCC in terms of chronic stress exposure and mental health? Concerning basic characteristics, our findings identify several covariates to be considered (age, sex, hair washing frequency, hair treatment, oral contraceptive use), confirm a decline of HCC from the first to the second proximal 3cm hair segment, and show positive associations between HCC and short-term salivary cortisol measures. Regarding chronic stress, we show that stress-exposed groups on a whole exhibit 22% increased HCC. This long-term cortisol hypersecretion emerges particularly when stress is still ongoing at the time of study (+43% HCC) but is not present in conditions of past/absent stress (-9% HCC, n.s.). We also report evidence for 17%-reduced HCC in anxiety disorders, such as PTSD. Interestingly, no consistent associations with mood disorders and self-reports of perceived stress, depressiveness or social support are found. However, our findings reveal positive associations of HCC with stress-related anthropometric (body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio) and hemodynamic measures (systolic blood pressure). These meta-analytic results are discussed in the light of their practical implications and important areas for future inquiry are outlined.
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Gerber M, Colledge F, Pühse U, Holsboer-Trachsler E, Zimmerer S, Brand S. Sleep Quality, Sleep EEG Pattern, Mental Well-Being and Cortisol Secretion in Patients with Ruptured Aneurysm Post-Treatment: A Comparison with Post-Surgery Meningioma Patients and Controls. Neuropsychobiology 2017; 73:148-59. [PMID: 27064792 DOI: 10.1159/000444492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the chance of surviving an aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) has increased steadily, disturbed sleep and persistent psychological complaints are frequently experienced post-ictus. To date, however, few studies have sought to determine whether physiological parameters, such as objectively measured sleep and cortisol secretion, interrelate significantly with low sleep quality and psychological complaints such as depression. Furthermore, there is little evidence as to whether post-ictal complaints differ between aSAH patients and other groups who have experienced stressful medical intervention. METHODS Data on objective and subjective sleep, sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions, psychological functioning and cortisol secretion were collected from 15 patients who had undergone medical intervention for aSAH. Data were also collected from a group of 16 individuals who had undergone surgery for a meningioma and a third group made up of 17 healthy participants. RESULTS aSAH patients and meningioma patients had significantly poorer subjective sleep than healthy controls and reported more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and hypochondriacal beliefs. They also had a significantly higher morning cortisol response. Finally, a non-significant trend was found showing that aSAH patients and meningioma patients reported poorer psychological functioning than healthy controls. CONCLUSION Following treatment, aSAH patients and meningioma patients experience poorer subjective sleep and some differences in objectively measured sleep, which might be attributable to increased sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and poorer overall psychological functioning. Differences in cortisol production were also observed, suggesting that some physiological imbalances are still present post-ictus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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Gerber M, Endes K, Brand S, Herrmann C, Colledge F, Donath L, Faude O, Pühse U, Hanssen H, Zahner L. In 6- to 8-year-old children, hair cortisol is associated with body mass index and somatic complaints, but not with stress, health-related quality of life, blood pressure, retinal vessel diameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 76:1-10. [PMID: 27865992 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hair cortisol measurement has become an increasingly accepted approach in endocrinology and biopsychology. However, while in adult research hair cortisol has been proposed as a relevant biomarker for chronic stress (and its adverse consequences), studies with children are scarce. Therefore, the goal of the present exploratory study was to examine the associations between hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs), stress, and a series of health-related outcomes in a sample of Swiss first grade schoolchildren. METHODS The sample consisted of 318 children (53% girls, Mage=7.26, SD=0.35). Hair strands were taken near the scalp from a posterior vertex position, and HCCs were tested for the first 3-cm hair segment. Parents provided information about their children's age, gender, parental education, children's stress (recent critical life events, daily hassles), health-related quality of life, and psychosomatic complaints. Body composition, blood pressure, retinal vessel diameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured with established methods. RESULTS In multiple regression analyses, higher HCCs were weakly associated with increased BMI in girls (β=0.22, p<0.001), whereas higher HCCs were associated with increased somatic complaints in boys (β=0.20, p<0.05). No significant relationships were found between HCCs and parental reports of stress, health-related quality of life, blood pressure, retinal vessel diameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness. CONCLUSIONS Although small significant relationships were found between HCCs, BMI and somatic complaints, the findings of this exploratory study challenge the view that HCCs can be used as a reliable biomarker of recent critical life events, daily hassles, health-related quality of life, and cardiovascular health indicators in non-clinical young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Katharina Endes
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Brand
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland; Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Switzerland
| | - Christian Herrmann
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Flora Colledge
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lars Donath
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Faude
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henner Hanssen
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Zahner
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
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Chen C, Nakagawa S, An Y, Ito K, Kitaichi Y, Kusumi I. The exercise-glucocorticoid paradox: How exercise is beneficial to cognition, mood, and the brain while increasing glucocorticoid levels. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017; 44:83-102. [PMID: 27956050 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Exercise is known to have beneficial effects on cognition, mood, and the brain. However, exercise also activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increases levels of the glucocorticoid cortisol (CORT). CORT, also known as the "stress hormone," is considered a mediator between chronic stress and depression and to link various cognitive deficits. Here, we review the evidence that shows that while both chronic stress and exercise elevate basal CORT levels leading to increased secretion of CORT, the former is detrimental to cognition/memory, mood/stress coping, and brain plasticity, while the latter is beneficial. We propose three preliminary answers to the exercise-CORT paradox. Importantly, the elevated CORT, through glucocorticoid receptors, functions to elevate dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex under chronic exercise but not chronic stress, and the medial prefrontal dopamine is essential for active coping. Future inquiries may provide further insights to promote our understanding of this paradox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Shin Nakagawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Yan An
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Koki Ito
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Yuji Kitaichi
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kusumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
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Gerber M, Endes K, Brand S, Herrmann C, Colledge F, Donath L, Faude O, Hanssen H, Pühse U, Zahner L. In 6- to 8-year-old children, cardiorespiratory fitness moderates the relationship between severity of life events and health-related quality of life. Qual Life Res 2016; 26:695-706. [PMID: 27933428 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-016-1472-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In children, the pathways by which physical activity and fitness are associated with physical and psychological wellbeing are still not fully understood. The present study examines for the first time in young children whether high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity moderate the relationship between severity of life events and health-related quality of life. METHODS Three hundred and seventy-eight children (188 girls, 190 boys, M age = 7.27 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Parental education, gender, age, severity of life events, health-related quality of life and physical activity were assessed via parental questionnaires. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the 20 m shuttle run test. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test whether physical activity and fitness interacted with critical life events to explain health-related quality of life. RESULTS When exposed to critical life events, children with higher fitness levels experienced higher levels of psychological wellbeing, relative to their less fit peers. On the other hand, children with higher fitness levels experienced higher physical wellbeing and more positive friendship relationships when severity of life events was low. A similar moderation effect was found for physical activity with overall quality of life as outcome. CONCLUSIONS Recent stressful experiences alone were not sufficient to explain negative health outcomes in young children. Children with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels experienced lower psychological wellbeing when they were exposed to critical life events. More research is needed to find out whether similar findings emerge with objective physical activity measurements and when critical life events are assessed over longer periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Katharina Endes
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Brand
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
- Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Center for Affective, Stress and Sleep Disorders, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Herrmann
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Flora Colledge
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lars Donath
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Faude
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henner Hanssen
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Zahner
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320B, 4052, Basel, Switzerland
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Does Physical Fitness Buffer the Relationship between Psychosocial Stress, Retinal Vessel Diameters, and Blood Pressure among Primary Schoolchildren? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:6340431. [PMID: 27795958 PMCID: PMC5067327 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6340431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background. Strong evidence exists showing that psychosocial stress plays an important part in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Because physical inactivity is associated with less favourable retinal vessel diameter and blood pressure profiles, this study explores whether physical fitness is able to buffer the negative effects of psychosocial stress on retinal vessel diameters and blood pressure in young children. Methods. 325 primary schoolchildren (51% girls, Mage = 7.28 years) took part in this cross-sectional research project. Retinal arteriolar diameters, retinal venular diameters, arteriolar to venular ratio, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed in all children. Interactions terms between physical fitness (performance in the 20 m shuttle run test) and four indicators of psychosocial stress (parental reports of critical life events, family, peer and school stress) were tested in a series of hierarchical regression analyses. Results. Critical life events and family, peer, and school-related stress were only weakly associated with retinal vessel diameters and blood pressure. No support was found for a stress-buffering effect of physical fitness. Conclusion. More research is needed with different age groups to find out if and from what age physical fitness can protect against arteriolar vessel narrowing and the occurrence of other cardiovascular disease risk factors.
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Wikenius E, Moe V, Kjellevold M, Smith L, Lyle R, Waagbø R, Page CM, Myhre AM. The Association between Hair Cortisol and Self-Reported Symptoms of Depression in Pregnant Women. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161804. [PMID: 27584584 PMCID: PMC5008720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression has been linked to an imbalance in cortisol. Until recently, cortisol has been studied by measuring concentrations at single time points in blood or saliva samples. Cortisol concentrations vary with circadian rhythm and experiences, from time point to time point. The measurement of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a new method of accessing mean, long-term cortisol concentrations. Recent studies show positive associations between depression and HCC, and prenatal maternal cortisol is thought to influence the developing fetus. We therefore examined the association between HCC and self-reported symptoms of depression in second trimester pregnant women. Participants were 181 women, recruited between September 2011 and October 2013 to the Little-in-Norway (LiN)-study. These women answered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale (EPDS) on self-reported symptoms of depression, and one cm maternal scalp hair was collected and analyzed for cortisol concentrations. Multiple regression analyses did not show depressive symptoms as a predictor for HCC in our selection of pregnant women, while gestational age was significantly related. In conclusion, our study indicated that symptoms of depression during pregnancy did not predict HCC, but further studies of clinically depressed, pregnant women using gestational age as an adjustment variable are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Wikenius
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Vibeke Moe
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of social sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- The Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern Norway (RBUP), Oslo, Norway
| | - Marian Kjellevold
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Smith
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of social sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Robert Lyle
- The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Waagbø
- National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway
| | - Christian Magnus Page
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Margrethe Myhre
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Child & Adolescent Mental Health Research Unit, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Michaud DS, Feder K, Keith SE, Voicescu SA, Marro L, Than J, Guay M, Denning A, Bower T, Villeneuve PJ, Russell E, Koren G, van den Berg F. Self-reported and measured stress related responses associated with exposure to wind turbine noise. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 139:1467-1479. [PMID: 27036285 DOI: 10.1121/1.4942402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The current study was the first to assess stress reactions associated with wind turbine noise (WTN) exposure using self-reported and objective measures. Randomly selected participants, aged 18-79 yr (606 males; 632 females), living between 0.25 and 11.22 km from wind turbines, were exposed to outdoor calculated WTN levels up to 46 dBA (response rate 78.9%). Multiple regression modeling left the great majority (77%-89%) of the variance in perceived stress scale (PSS) scores, hair cortisol concentrations, resting blood pressure, and heart rate unaccounted for, and WTN exposure had no apparent influence on any of these endpoints. PSS scores were positively, but weakly, related to cortisol concentrations and resting heart rate (Pearson r = 0.13 and r = 0.08, respectively). Across WTN categories, modeled mean PSS scores ranged from 13.15 to 13.84 (p = 0.8614). Modeled geometric means for hair cortisol concentrations, resting mean systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were 150.54-191.12 ng/g (p = 0.5416), 113.38-116.82 mmHg (p = 0.4990), 67.98-70.34 mmHg (p = 0.5006), and 68.24-70.71 bpm (p = 0.5223), respectively. Irrespective of WTN levels, diastolic blood pressure appeared to be slightly (2.90 mmHg 95% CI: 0.75,5.05) higher among participants highly annoyed by blinking lights on turbines (p = 0.0081). Collectively, the findings do not support an association between exposure to WTN up to 46 dBA and elevated self-reported and objectively defined measures of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S Michaud
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada
| | - Katya Feder
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada
| | - Stephen E Keith
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada
| | - Sonia A Voicescu
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada
| | - Leonora Marro
- Health Canada, Population Studies Division, Biostatistics Section, 200 Eglantine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Than
- Health Canada, Population Studies Division, Biostatistics Section, 200 Eglantine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mireille Guay
- Health Canada, Population Studies Division, Biostatistics Section, 200 Eglantine Driveway, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allison Denning
- Health Canada, Environmental Health Program, Health Programs Branch, Regions and Programs Bureau, 1505 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tara Bower
- Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Office of Science Policy, Liaison and Coordination, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul J Villeneuve
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Evan Russell
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, Siebens Drake Research Institute, Room 111, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gideon Koren
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frits van den Berg
- The Amsterdam Public Health Service (GGD Amsterdam), Environmental Health Department, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Simmons JG, Badcock PB, Whittle SL, Byrne ML, Mundy L, Patton GC, Olsson CA, Allen NB. The lifetime experience of traumatic events is associated with hair cortisol concentrations in community-based children. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 63:276-81. [PMID: 26529051 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 10/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adversity early in life can disrupt the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and increase risk for negative health outcomes. Recent research suggests that cortisol in scalp hair represents a promising measure of HPAA function. However, little is known about the relationship between early exposure to traumatic events and hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in childhood, a critical period of HPAA development. The current study measured HCC in scalp hair samples collected from 70 community-based children (14 males, mean age=9.50) participating in the Imaging Brain Development in the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study (iCATS). Data were also collected on lifetime exposure to traumatic events and current depressive symptoms. Lifetime exposure to trauma was associated with elevated HCC; however, HCC was not associated with current depressive symptoms. Consistent with some prior work, males were found to have higher HCC than females, although results should be treated with caution due to the small number of males who took part. Our findings suggest that hair cortisol may represent a biomarker of exposure to trauma in this age group; however, further study is necessary with a particular focus on the characterization of trauma and other forms of adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian G Simmons
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Paul B Badcock
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Sarah L Whittle
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Michelle L Byrne
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
| | - Lisa Mundy
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - George C Patton
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Craig A Olsson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Nicholas B Allen
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
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Ouellette SJ, Russell E, Kryski KR, Sheikh HI, Singh SM, Koren G, Hayden EP. Hair cortisol concentrations in higher- and lower-stress mother-daughter dyads: A pilot study of associations and moderators. Dev Psychobiol 2015; 57:519-34. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Evan Russell
- University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
| | | | | | | | - Gideon Koren
- University of Western Ontario; London Ontario Canada
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Milam J, Slaughter R, Verma G, McConnell R. Hair Cortisol, Perceived Stress and Dispositional Optimism: A Pilot Study among Adolescents. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 3:1000126. [PMID: 25426491 DOI: 10.4172/2324-8947.1000126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological stress is often associated with poor health-related outcomes. One potential biomarker for chronic stress, hair cortisol, is minimally invasive compared to other cortisol collection techniques. This pilot study examined the relationships between hair cortisol and self-reported perceived stress, stressful life events, depressive symptoms, and dispositional optimism among adolescents. METHODS This cross-sectional study comprised of a convenience sample of 27 adolescents (age: M=14.96, SD=1.63) recruited from a Southern California after-school program. Along with demographic and hair characteristics (e.g., hair color, type, etc.), participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Stressful Life Events checklist, CES-D (depressive symptoms), and Life Orientation Test (optimism). Hair cortisol was measured by analyzing hair samples approximately 1 cm from the scalp representing one month of cortisol exposure. RESULTS Hair cortisol had a significant inverse association with dispositional optimism (r=-0.44, p<0.05). Hair cortisol was not significantly associated with self-reported perceived stress, stressful life events, or depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION Assessment of hair cortisol may prove beneficial as an objective measure in research examining chronic stress-related outcomes among adolescents. Resiliency or protective dispositions, such as optimism, merit attention in relation to this biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Milam
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Rhona Slaughter
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Gaurav Verma
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Rob McConnell
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, USA
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Wosu AC, Valdimarsdóttir U, Shields AE, Williams DR, Williams MA. Correlates of cortisol in human hair: implications for epidemiologic studies on health effects of chronic stress. Ann Epidemiol 2013; 23:797-811.e2. [PMID: 24184029 PMCID: PMC3963409 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 09/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of cortisol concentrations in hair is one of the latest innovations for measuring long-term cortisol exposure. We performed a systematic review of correlates of cortisol in human hair to inform the design, analysis, and interpretation of future epidemiologic studies. Relevant publications were identified through electronic searches on PubMed, WorldCat, and Web of Science using keywords, "cortisol," "hair," "confounders," "chronic," "stress," and "correlates." Thirty-nine studies were included in this review. Notwithstanding scarce data and some inconsistencies, investigators have found hair cortisol concentrations to be associated with stress-related psychiatric symptoms and disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder), medical conditions indicating chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (e.g., Cushing's syndrome), and other life situations associated with elevated risk of chronic stress (e.g., shiftwork). Results from some studies suggest that physical activity, adiposity, and substance abuse may be correlates of hair cortisol concentrations. In contrast to measures of short-term cortisol release (saliva, blood, and urine), cigarette smoking and use of oral contraceptives appear not to be associated with hair cortisol concentrations. Studies of pregnant women indicate increased hair cortisol concentrations across successive trimesters. The study of hair cortisol presents a unique opportunity to assess chronic alterations in cortisol concentrations in epidemiologic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaeze C Wosu
- Multidisciplinary International Research Training Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
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