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Fischer S, Naegeli K, Cardone D, Filippini C, Merla A, Hanusch KU, Ehlert U. Emerging effects of temperature on human cognition, affect, and behaviour. Biol Psychol 2024; 189:108791. [PMID: 38599369 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Human body core temperature is tightly regulated within approximately 37 °C. Global near surface temperature has increased by over 1.2 °C between 1850 and 2020. In light of the challenge this poses to human thermoregulation, the present perspective article sought to provide an overview on the effects of varying ambient and body temperature on cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains of functioning. To this end, an overview of observational and experimental studies in healthy individuals and individuals with mental disorders was provided. Within body core temperature at approximately 37 °C, relatively lower ambient and skin temperatures appear to evoke a need for social connection, whereas comparably higher temperatures appear to facilitate notions of other as closer and more sociable. Above-average ambient temperatures are associated with increased conflicts as well as incident psychotic and depressive symptoms, mental disorders, and suicide. With mild hypo- and hyperthermia, paradoxical effects are observed: whereas the acute states are generally characterised by impairments in cognitive performance, anxiety, and irritability, individuals with depression experience longer-term symptom improvements with treatments deliberately inducing these states for brief amounts of time. When taken together, it has thus become clear that temperature is inexorably associated with human cognition, affect, and (potentially) behaviour. Given the projected increase in global warming, further research into the affective and behavioural sequelae of heat and the mechanisms translating it into mental health outcomes is urgently warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Kathrin Naegeli
- University of Zurich, Department of Geography, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Cardone
- University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy
| | - Chiara Filippini
- University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy
| | - Arcangelo Merla
- University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Department of Engineering and Geology, Chieti, Italy
| | - Kay-Uwe Hanusch
- Bern University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Ehlert
- University of Zurich, Institute of Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Pallich G, Fischer S, La Marca R, Grosse Holtforth M, Hochstrasser B. Post-awakening salivary alpha-amylase as modulator of treatment response in patients with burnout and major depression. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 154:175-180. [PMID: 35944379 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Around 50% of patients with major depression do not respond to standard first-line treatments, such as psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. At the same time, a subgroup exhibits altered functioning of stress-responsive bodily systems, such as the central locus coeruleus/sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Given that these systems impact arousal and cognition, it is possible that this subgroup contributes to the high rates of non-responders. Our aim was to investigate whether sympathetic and HPA axis activity modulate treatment outcomes in patients with stress-related major depression. A total of N = 74 inpatients (median age: 50, 62% male) with signs of burnout who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for major depression were recruited. Saliva samples were collected at awakening as well as 30 and 45 min later. Alpha-amylase activity and cortisol concentrations were determined before patients underwent evidence-based multimodal treatment. Non-responders were defined as patients exhibiting a <50% decrease in depression on the Beck Depression Inventory. Non-responders had significantly higher post-awakening alpha-amylase activity than responders (p = .025). In addition, alpha-amylase activity increased significantly over the course of treatment (p = .004), irrespective of responder status. Post-awakening cortisol was neither a predictor nor an indicator of treatment response. If future research confirms alpha-amylase activity as a modulator of treatment response, this may indicate a subgroup of patients with major depression which may benefit from augmentative treatments, such as heart rate variability biofeedback and/or cognitive interventions targeting high arousal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianandrea Pallich
- University of Zurich, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Zurich, Switzerland; Private Hospital Meiringen, Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Meiringen, Switzerland.
| | - Susanne Fischer
- University of Zurich, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto La Marca
- University of Zurich, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Zurich, Switzerland; Clinica Holistica Engiadina SA, Centre for Stress-Related Disorders, Susch, Switzerland
| | - Martin Grosse Holtforth
- University of Berne, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Berne, Switzerland; University Hospital Inselspital, Psychosomatic Competence Center, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Hochstrasser
- Private Hospital Meiringen, Center for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Meiringen, Switzerland
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Fischer S, Schumacher S, Daniels J. Neurobiological Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Their Reversibility by Psychotherapy. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2022. [DOI: 10.1026/1616-3443/a000650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating illness associated with distressing symptoms and a high societal burden. Objective: To investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of PTSD to improve our understanding of this disorder and its treatment. Methods: This article reviews currently researched mechanisms that can explain the development of PTSD symptoms. It presents key findings on neural (i. e., brain functioning and brain structure), neuroendocrine (i. e., noradrenergic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity), and related (epi)genetic changes in individuals with PTSD. Furthermore, it presents preliminary research examining the reversibility of these alterations during psychotherapeutic treatment. Results: PTSD is characterized by specific neurobiological alterations, with preliminary findings indicating that at least some of these may normalize during psychotherapy. Discussion: A multidimensional perspective on the development, maintenance, and treatment of PTSD has the potential to improve our understanding of the causal processes underlying the disorder and may ultimately inform the conception of novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fischer
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Health, Health and Medical University, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Judith Daniels
- Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
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Schumacher S, Engel S, Niemeyer H, Küster A, Burchert S, Skoluda N, Rau H, Nater UM, Willmund GD, Knaevelsrud C. Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-Amylase in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Their Potential Role in the Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Outcomes. J Trauma Stress 2022; 35:78-89. [PMID: 34022094 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in HPA-axis and autonomic nervous system activity have been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development and maintenance and are potentially associated with trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) outcomes. We examined the role of salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA) in PTSD and TF-CBT outcomes in German Armed Forces service members (N = 100). Participants categorized as PTSD patients (n = 39), previously deployed healthy controls (n = 33), and nondeployed healthy controls (n = 28) provided diurnal profiles of sCort and sAA; PTSD patients provided samples before, immediately after, and 3 months after an internet-based TF-CBT intervention. No group differences emerged regarding total daily sCort and sAA output or daily slopes, ps = .224-.897, fs = 0.05-0.24. Participants with PTSD demonstrated a significantly attenuated sCort awakening response compared to deployed, p = .021, d = 0.59, but not nondeployed controls, p = .918, d = 0.08. Moreover, a significantly steeper sAA awakening response emerged in PTSD patients, p = .034, d = 0.67, and deployed controls, p = .014, d = 0.80, compared to nondeployed controls. From pretreatment to posttreatment (n = 21) and posttreatment to follow-up (n = 14), stable sCort, ps = .282-.628, fs = 0.34-0.49, and sAA concentrations, ps = .068-.758, fs = 0.24-1.13 paralleled a nonsignificant treatment effect. Both PTSD and trauma exposure were associated with alterations in awakening responses, but further investigation is needed to determine whether the observed correspondence remains when PTSD symptoms significantly decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helen Niemeyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Küster
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Rau
- Psychotrauma Centre, German Armed Forces Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Clinical Psychology of Adulthood, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Engel S, Schumacher S, Niemeyer H, Kuester A, Burchert S, Klusmann H, Rau H, Willmund GD, Knaevelsrud C. Associations between oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations, traumatic event exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: group comparisons, correlations, and courses during an internet-based cognitive-behavioural treatment. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1886499. [PMID: 33968321 PMCID: PMC8078934 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1886499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by impairments in extinction learning and social behaviour, which are targeted by trauma-focused cognitive behavioural treatment (TF-CBT). The biological underpinnings of TF-CBT can be better understood by adding biomarkers to the clinical evaluation of interventions. Due to their involvement in social functioning and fear processing, oxytocin and arginine vasopressin might be informative biomarkers for TF-CBT, but to date, this has never been tested. Objective: To differentiate the impact of traumatic event exposure and PTSD symptoms on blood oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations. Further, to describe courses of PTSD symptoms, oxytocin and vasopressin during an internet-based TF-CBT and explore interactions between these parameters. Method: We compared oxytocin and vasopressin between three groups of active and former male service members of the German Armed Forces (n = 100): PTSD patients (n = 39), deployed healthy controls who experienced a deployment-related traumatic event (n = 33) and non-deployed healthy controls who never experienced a traumatic event (n = 28). PTSD patients underwent a 5-week internet-based TF-CBT. We correlated PTSD symptoms with oxytocin and vasopressin before treatment onset. Further, we analysed courses of PTSD symptoms, oxytocin and vasopressin from pre- to post-treatment and 3 months follow-up, as well as interactions between the three parameters. Results: Oxytocin and vasopressin did not differ between the groups and were unrelated to PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms were highly stable over time, whereas the endocrine parameters were not, and they also did not change in mean. Oxytocin and vasopressin were not associated with PTSD symptoms longitudinally. Conclusions: Mainly due to their insufficient intraindividual stability, single measurements of endogenous oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations are not informative biomarkers for TF-CBT. We discuss how the stability of these biomarkers might be increased and how they could be better related to the specific impairments targeted by TF-CBT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helen Niemeyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Kuester
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannah Klusmann
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinrich Rau
- Department for Military Mental Health, German Armed Forces, Military Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerd-Dieter Willmund
- Department for Military Mental Health, German Armed Forces, Military Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Het S, Vocks S, Wolf JM, Herpertz S, Wolf OT. Treatment-Resistant Blunted HPA Activity, but Reversible Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity in Young Women With Eating Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:726. [PMID: 32793011 PMCID: PMC7387699 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has provided evidence for a reduced neuroendocrine stress response in women with eating disorders (EDs). In the present study female in-patients with Anorexia and Bulimia nervosa were compared to female healthy controls (HC) before and after completing an in-patient treatment program. Salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase (sAA), heart rate response (HR), high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) and negative affective state were measured before, during and after exposure to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) at pre- and post-treatment. Patients with EDs (n = 13) showed significantly less ED symptoms at post-treatment. Compared to HC (n = 22), patients displayed a blunted cortisol stress response combined with overall attenuated sAA levels at pre-treatment. At post-treatment, the blunted cortisol stress response was still observable, while the differences in sAA responses disappeared. HR was attenuated at pre-treatment in patients, also indicated by a stronger HF-HRV throughout the TSST. These cardiovascular differences disappeared at post-treatment. Patients reported in general (pre- and post-treatment) more negative affect compared to HC. This study provides further evidences of a hypo-reactive hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) in patients with EDs which persists even after symptom recovery while initial low cardiovascular stress reactivity apparently can be restored by psychotherapy. Given the small sample size the findings have to be considered preliminary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serkan Het
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Silja Vocks
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Jutta M Wolf
- Department of Psychology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Stephan Herpertz
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Clinic, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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