The Price of Stress: High Bedtime Salivary Cortisol Levels Are Associated with Brain Atrophy and Cognitive Decline in Stroke Survivors. Results from the TABASCO Prospective Cohort Study

Bedtime negative affect, sleep quality and subjective health in rural China

BACKGROUND

The overall level of negative affect (NeA) has been linked to impaired health. However, whether the diurnal timing of NeA matters and whether the NeA-health relationship is mediated by sleep quality remain unclear.

METHODS

Using a longitudinal dataset (2006, 2009 and 2014 waves) consisting of 1959 participants, we examined the within-person impact of both bedtime NeA and non-bedtime NeA measured by Day Reconstruction Method (DRM) on subjective health measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the mediating effect of sleep quality on the NeA-health relationships by fixed effect models.

RESULTS

Bedtime NeA predicted poorer health, while non-bedtime NeA was unrelated to health. The deleterious impact of bedtime NeA reduced and became non-significant after sleep quality was controlled for. Bedtime NeA also significantly predicted impaired sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Bedtime NeA is a stronger predictor of poorer health than non-bedtime NeA, and the deleterious influence of bedtime NeA on health seems to operate through poor sleep quality. Therefore, interventions to reduce bedtime NeA could potentially improve subsequent sleep quality, thereby protecting people to some extent from impaired health status.

Association between intracranial vessel calcifications, structural brain damage, and cognitive impairment after minor strokes: a prospective study

Background

Vascular calcifications are a hallmark of atherosclerosis, and in the coronary arteries are routinely used as a prognostic marker. Calcifications of intracranial vessels (ICC) are frequently observed on non-contrast CT (NCCT) and their effect on post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) remains unclear. Our aim was to explore the association of ICC with prospective long-term cognitive function and advanced MRI-measures in a large prospective cohort of cognitively intact mild stroke survivors.

Methods

Data from the Tel-Aviv brain acute stroke cohort (TABASCO) study [ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01926691] were analyzed. This prospective cohort study (n = 575) aimed to identify predictors of PSCI, in cognitively intact mild stroke survivors. A quantitative assessment of the intracranial calcium content - The ICC score (ICCS) was calculated semi-automatically on NCCT using a validated calcium quantification application. Participants underwent a 3 T-MRI and prospective comprehensive cognitive clinical and laboratory assessments at enrollment, 6, 12, and 24-months.

Results

Data were available for 531 participants (67.4 years, 59.5% males). The incidence of PSCI at two-years doubled in the high ICCS group (26% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.001). The high ICCS group had significantly greater small-vessel-disease (SVD) tissue changes and reduced microstructural-integrity assessed by Diffusion-Tensor-Imaging (DTI) maps (p < 0.05 for all). In multivariate analysis, a higher ICCS was independently associated with brain atrophy manifested by lower normalized white and gray matter, hippocampal and thalamic volumes (β = -0.178, β = -0.2, β = -0.137, β = -0.157; p < 0.05) and independently predicted PSCI (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.01-3.35).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the ICCS, which is a simple and readily available imaging marker on NCCT, is associated with brain atrophy, microstructural damage, the extent of SVD, and may predict PSCI. This finding has implications for identifying individuals at risk for PSCI and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate this risk.

Development of Post-Stroke Cognitive and Depressive Disturbances: Associations with Neurohumoral Indices

Neuropsychiatric complications, in particular cognitive and depressive disorders, are common consequences of ischemic stroke (IS) and complicate the rehabilitation, quality of life, and social adaptation of patients. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system, sympathoadrenal medullary system (SAMS), and inflammatory processes are believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. This study aimed to explore these systems in IS patients, including those with post-stroke cognitive and depressive disorders, within a year after IS. Indices of the HPA axis, inflammatory system, and SAMS were measured in blood serum (cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6)), plasma (adrenocorticotropic hormone), and saliva (cortisol, α-amylase). During one year after mild/moderate IS (NIHSS score 5.9 ± 4.3), serum cortisol and salivary α-amylase levels remained elevated in the total cohort. In the group with further cognitive decline, serum and salivary cortisol levels were elevated during the acute period of IS. In the group with poststroke depressive disorder, salivary α-amylase was constantly elevated, while serum IL-6 was minimal during the acute period. The results suggest prolonged hyperactivation of the HPA axis and SAMS after IS. Specifically, post-stroke cognitive impairment was associated with hyperactivation of the HPA axis during the acute IS period, while post-stroke depressive disorder was associated with the chronic inflammatory process and hyperactivation of SAMS during the follow-up period.

Psychological Stress Management and Stress Reduction Strategies for Stroke Survivors: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Stroke can be a life-changing event, with survivors frequently experiencing some level of disability, reduced independence, and an abrupt lifestyle change. Not surprisingly, many stroke survivors report elevated levels of stress during the recovery process, which has been associated with worse outcomes.

PURPOSE

Given the multiple roles of stress in the etiology of stroke recovery outcomes, we aimed to scope the existing literature on stress management interventions that have been trialed in stroke survivors.

METHODS

We performed a database search for intervention studies conducted in stroke survivors which reported the effects on stress, resilience, or coping outcome. Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo (OVID) were searched from database inception until March 11, 2019, and updated on September 1, 2020.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. There was significant variation in the range of trialed interventions, as well as the outcome measures used to assess stress. Overall, just over half (13/24) of the included studies reported a benefit in terms of stress reduction. Acceptability and feasibility were considered in 71% (17/24) and costs were considered in 17% (4/24) of studies. The management of stress was rarely linked to the prevention of symptoms of stress-related disorders. The overall evidence base of included studies is weak. However, an increase in the number of studies over time suggests a growing interest in this subject.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is required to identify optimum stress management interventions in stroke survivors, including whether the management of stress can ameliorate the negative impacts of stress on health.

Indirect effects of social support and hope on quality of life via emotional distress among stroke survivors: A three-wave structural equation model

OBJECTIVES

Stroke survivors are prone to functional impairments and reduced quality of life (QoL). This study examined the mediating role of social support and hope in the relationships between functional impairment, emotional distress, and QoL.

METHODS

A total of 188 stroke survivors in Hong Kong completed assessments on functional impairment, social support, and hope at baseline, with follow-up measurements of emotional distress at 2 months and QoL at 8 months. Structural equation modeling with bootstrapping was used to analyze the direct and indirect effects of functional impairment on emotional distress and QoL via the mediating factors of social support and hope.

RESULTS

The partial cascading model provided an adequate fit to the data. Functional impairment had significant negative direct effects on hope and physical QoL and social support had significant positive direct effects on hope and physical QoL. Social support had a significant positive indirect effect on physical QoL via hope and perceived stress and on psychosocial QoL via hope and depression. Functional impairment and hope had a significant negative interaction effect on perceived stress.

CONCLUSION

The findings support a mediating role for hope in the relationship between social support and QoL in stroke survivors. The protective effect of hope on perceived stress was stronger among patients with greater functional impairment.

Ischemic Stroke, Glucocorticoids, and Remote Hippocampal Damage: A Translational Outlook and Implications for Modeling

Progress in treating ischemic stroke (IS) and its delayed consequences has been frustratingly slow due to the insufficient knowledge on the mechanism. One important factor, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is mostly neglected despite the fact that both clinical data and the results from rodent models of IS show that glucocorticoids, the hormones of this stress axis, are involved in IS-induced brain dysfunction. Though increased cortisol in IS is regarded as a biomarker of higher mortality and worse recovery prognosis, the detailed mechanisms of HPA axis dysfunction involvement in delayed post-stroke cognitive and emotional disorders remain obscure. In this review, we analyze IS-induced HPA axis alterations and supposed association of corticoid-dependent distant hippocampal damage to post-stroke brain disorders. A translationally important growing point in bridging the gap between IS pathogenesis and clinic is to investigate the involvement of the HPA axis disturbances and related hippocampal dysfunction at different stages of SI. Valid models that reproduce the state of the HPA axis in clinical cases of IS are needed, and this should be considered when planning pre-clinical research. In clinical studies of IS, it is useful to reinforce diagnostic and prognostic potential of cortisol and other HPA axis hormones. Finally, it is important to reveal IS patients with permanently disturbed HPA axis. Patients-at-risk with high cortisol prone to delayed remote hippocampal damage should be monitored since hippocampal dysfunction may be the basis for development of post-stroke cognitive and emotional disturbances, as well as epilepsy.

Stressful life events can predict post-stroke fatigue in patients with ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether stressful life events (SLEs) can predict post-stroke fatigue (PSF) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included data from patients with AIS who were followed up to 2-year interview. PSF was assessed at admission and at 6 (n = 916), 12 (n = 880), and 24 (n = 857) months with the fatigue severity scale (FSS). SLEs were measured with the Social Readjustment Rating Scale questionnaire at 6, 12 and 24 months' interview.

RESULTS

A significant dose-response association was found between SLEs and FSS score across all examined time-points: compared with those did not experience SLEs, FSS score was higher for those experiencing SLEs ≥3 at 6 months (β 0.53, 95% CI 0.28-0.78), 12 months (β 0.54, 95% CI 0.30-0.78) and 24 months (β 0.48, 95% CI 0.29-0.68). Longitudinal analyses indicated a significantly positive relationship between the number of SLEs and FSS score (SLEs: ≥3 vs. 0, β 0.14, 95% CI 0.09-0.19). Moreover, a distinct interaction of follow-up time and SLE numbers on FSS score was observed (p < 0.05), which means elevated exposure to SLEs during follow-up was associated with a lower rate of fatigue decline. A similar association was found in SLE load analysis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with severe fatigue were more likely to report increased number of SLEs in the previous 6 months, which could suggest that a non-specific stressful event leads to an extra burden to an already vulnerable psychological system.

Cortisol level dysregulation and its prevalence-Is it nature's alarm clock?

This review examines the stress hormone cortisol which plays an important role in regulating and supporting different bodily functions. Disruption in cortisol production has an impact on health and this review looks at a wide range of papers where cortisol has been indicated as a factor in numerous chronic conditions—especially those which are classed as “noncommunicable diseases” (NCDs). Timely detection, screening, and treatment for NCDs are vital to address the growing problem of NCDs worldwide—this would have health and socioeconomic benefits. Interestingly, many of the papers highlight the pro‐inflammatory consequences of cortisol dysregulation and its deleterious effects on the body. This is particularly relevant given the recent findings concerning COVID‐19 where pro‐inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in severe inflammation.

Opposing Associations of Stress and Resilience With Functional Outcomes in Stroke Survivors in the Chronic Phase of Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study

Stroke survivors report significant levels of psychological distress post stroke. To date, most studies conducted have focused on the relationship between psychological stress and functional outcomes in the acute phase of stroke. However, no studies had considered the role of stress over the chronic phase, where stress may continue to exert negative effects on cognitive and psychological processes. Further, the role of potentially modulatory variables, such as psychological resilience, on stroke outcomes has been understudied. The purpose of this study was to consider the relationships between stress and resilience with functional outcomes in long-term survivors of stroke. People (N = 70) who had experienced a stroke between 5 months and 28 years ago were included in the cross-sectional study, along with age-matched controls (N = 70). We measured stress using both the Perceived Stress Scale and biological markers, and resilience using both the Brief Resilience Scale and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Stroke outcomes were assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale. We found that, compared with age-matched controls, stroke survivors reported greater levels of perceived stress, and lower levels of resilience. In stroke survivors, both perceived stress and resilience were independently associated with stroke outcomes in linear regression models. In particular, these relationships were observed for cognitive outcomes including mood, memory, and communication. The association between stress and stroke outcome did not differ across time post stroke. Given that resilience is a modifiable psychological construct, future research may consider whether strategies directed at enhancing resilience may improve recovery from stroke.

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617000736347.

Exploration of stress management interventions to address psychological stress in stroke survivors: a protocol for a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have shown that stroke survivors report experiencing high and unremitting levels of stress, which can negatively affect brain repair processes and psychological outcomes and thereby compromise recovery. However, it is presently unclear which interventions have been trialled to manage stress in stroke survivors and whether they translate to clinically relevant outcomes. The aim of this scoping review will be to examine stress management interventions in stroke survivors in order to map the types of interventions trialled, commonly reported stress outcome measures and whether a reduction in stress contributes to reductions in relevant clinical outcomes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The methodological framework described in Arksey and O'Malley will be applied to this review. A draft search strategy was developed in collaboration with an experienced senior health research librarian. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane library, PsycInfo and Clinicaltrials.gov as well as hand searching of reference lists and reviews will identify relevant studies for inclusion. To be eligible for inclusion, studies must report on the outcomes of an intervention targeting stress management and resilience in stroke survivors. Study selection and critical appraisal of selected studies will be carried out independently by two authors, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Data will be charted using a standard extraction form. Results will be tabulated and narratively summarised to highlight findings relevant to our research questions and to inform recommendations for future research.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study does not require ethics approval. This scoping review will provide a synthesis of evidence for stress management interventions in stroke survivors. It will identify and clarify the gaps in stress research specific to stroke pathologies and highlight promising interventions for future research. Findings will be relevant to researchers and healthcare workers and will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Biochemical Mechanisms and Translational Relevance of Hippocampal Vulnerability to Distant Focal Brain Injury: The Price of Stress Response

Focal brain injuries (in particular, stroke and traumatic brain injury) induce with high probability the development of delayed (months, years) cognitive and depressive disturbances which are frequently comorbid. The association of these complications with hippocampal alterations (in spite of the lack of a primary injury of this structure), as well as the lack of a clear dependence between the probability of depression and dementia development and primary damage severity and localization served as the basis for a new hypothesis on the distant hippocampal damage as a key link in the pathogenesis of cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. According to this hypothesis, the excess of corticosteroids secreted after a focal brain damage, in particular in patients with abnormal stress-response due to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) dysfunction, interacts with corticosteroid receptors in the hippocampus inducing signaling pathways which stimulate neuroinflammation and subsequent events including disturbances in neurogenesis and hippocampal neurodegeneration. In this article, the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the regulatory role of the HPAA and multiple functions of brain corticosteroid receptors in the hippocampus are analyzed. Functional and structural damage to the hippocampus, a brain region selectively vulnerable to external factors and responding to them by increased cytokine secretion, forms the basis for cognitive function disturbances and psychopathology development. This concept is confirmed by our own experimental data, results of other groups and by prospective clinical studies of post-stroke complications. Clinically relevant biochemical approaches to predict the risks and probability of post-stroke/post-trauma cognitive and depressive disturbances are suggested using the evaluation of biochemical markers of patients' individual stress-response. Pathogenetically justified ways for preventing these consequences of focal brain damage are proposed by targeting key molecular mechanisms underlying hippocampal dysfunction.

The relationship between loneliness and cognition in healthy older men and women: The role of cortisol

Loneliness has been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older people, as well as a dysregulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. In addition, it has been suggested that women are more vulnerable to the negative effects of loneliness on health. Our aim was to analyze the effect of HPA-axis functioning as a mediator in the relationship between loneliness and cognitive function, and interactions depending on sex, in healthy older people. To do so, 86 healthy older people (52.3% female) from 60 to 80 years old (M = 67.44, SD = 4.37) completed the revised UCLA loneliness scale. A neuropsychological battery was administered to assess global cognition, processing speed, attention and executive function, working memory, and verbal memory immediate and delayed recall. Saliva samples were provided on two consecutive weekdays to obtain awakening and bedtime cortisol levels, the diurnal cortisol slope (DCS), and the area under the curve with respect to the ground (AUCg). Our results showed that loneliness was not directly associated with cognitive performance. Furthermore, loneliness was related to higher bedtime cortisol levels, but not to awakening cortisol, the DCS, or the AUCg. In addition, loneliness was associated with worse performance on attention and processing speed, executive function, and verbal memory immediate recall, via bedtime cortisol levels. Therefore, we suggest that HPA-axis functioning is one of the biological mechanisms that mediate the relationship between loneliness and poorer cognitive function. No sex differences were observed in these associations.