Article
Clinical Neurology
Christoph Roesner, Oliver Tuescher, Katja Petrowski
Summary: Habituation refers to the physiological adaptation to recurrent stressors, which can be measured by cortisol levels, and is considered a central mechanism in reducing allostatic load. Resilience was investigated as a potential factor influencing stress reduction in this study. The findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of resilience exhibit lower AUCg values throughout the measurements, indicating resilience as a predictor of cortisol habituation.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Qian Liu, Jianhui Wu, Liang Zhang, Xiaofang Sun, Qing Guan, Zhuxi Yao
Summary: This study found that, for the same level of stress, the subjective perceived level of control in young adults can influence the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felipe Borges Almeida, Graziano Pinna, Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
Summary: This article discusses the role of the HPA axis under stressful conditions and the importance of allopregnanolone in promoting negative feedback mechanisms to restore homeostasis. Chronic, repeated exposure to stress may lead to dysfunction, contributing to the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Raphael Hirtz, Lars Libuda, Anke Hinney, Manuel Foecker, Judith Buehlmeier, Jochen Antel, Paul-Martin Holterhus, Alexandra Kulle, Cordula Kiewert, Johannes Hebebrand, Corinna Grasemann
Summary: In adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD), dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis is common, but the function of these two axes is only loosely related. This differs from findings in adults and suggests age-related maturational adjustments in the regulation of the HPA and HPT axis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hongyuan Zhu, Luming Wu, Tingwei Su, Lei Jiang, Weiwei Zhou, Yiran Jiang, Cui Zhang, Xu Zhong, Weiqing Wang
Summary: This study investigated the association between radiological characteristics of benign adrenocortical tumors and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in 494 patients. It was found that patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) had larger tumor diameter, thinner contralateral adrenal gland, and lower plasma ACTH and serum DHEAS levels compared to those with non-functional adrenocortical tumors (NFAT). ACTH was shown to mediate the effects of MACS on DHEAS and contralateral adrenal gland.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Bernadette von Dawans, Julia Strojny, Gregor Domes
Summary: Research has shown that stress can cause psychological and physiological changes, affecting human social cognition and behavior. Current studies focus on the effects of acute stress induction or pharmacological interventions on stress-related neural circuits and their impact on social cognition and behavior. Future research needs to address methodological challenges to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between psychological and biological stress variables and their effects on health and social deficits in disorders.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Magdalena Mijas, Mateusz Blukacz, Karolina Koziara, Krzysztof Kasparek, Mateusz Piotr Pliczko, Andrzej Galbarczyk, Grazyna Jasienska
Summary: Through experiments on gay and heterosexual men, it was found that gay men had significantly higher cortisol levels during two laboratory visits; their cortisol levels were also influenced by perceived rejection from family due to minority sexual identity and stigma-related vicarious trauma. Although neither group showed habituation in decreasing cortisol levels, the shape of the cortisol curve changed between visits only in heterosexual men.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Georg Halbeisen, Gregor Domes, Eva Walther
Summary: This study used virtual reality technology to investigate the impact of ethnic background on stress reactions and found that endocrine stress reactions are independent of interviewer ethnicity and cannot be predicted based on implicit bias, explicit prejudice, or appearance concerns.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Giada Ostinelli, Anais Scovronec, Sylvain Iceta, Anne-Sophie Ouellette, Simone Lemieux, Laurent Biertho, Catherine Begin, Andreanne Michaud, Andre Tchernof
Summary: The cortisol awakening response (CAR) and hair cortisol concentration (HCC) are reliable markers of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, with HCC showing a significant positive correlation with adiposity. Inconsistencies in cortisol sampling and CAR computation make comparisons between studies difficult, but overall trait measurement of HCC is associated with increased general and abdominal adiposity in humans.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wrivu N. Martin, Carol A. Wang, Stephen J. Lye, Stephen G. Matthews, Rebecca M. Reynolds, Carly E. McLaughlin, Roger Smith, Craig E. Pennell
Summary: The study found an inverse linear relationship between fetal growth and HPA-A function at age 18, with no consistent quadratic relationships identified. Removal of anticipatory responders from the models substantially attenuated the observed relationships. This suggests altered adrenal sensitivity may underlie the relationship.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wrivu N. Martin, Carol A. Wang, Stephen J. Lye, Stephen G. Matthews, Rebecca M. Reynolds, Carly E. McLaughlin, Roger Smith, Craig E. Pennell
Summary: A study found an inverse linear relationship between fetal growth and HPA-A function at the age of 18, which may be related to altered adrenal sensitivity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jody A. Rusch, Brian T. Layden, Lara R. Dugas
Summary: Cognitive function in humans relies on the complex interplay between multiple body systems, including the HPA axis. The gut microbiota, which outnumbers human cells and has a greater genetic potential, plays a crucial role through the MGB axis, a bidirectional communication pathway. Stress can affect the MGB axis through the HPA axis and other pathways, and animal research has contributed to a paradigm shift in understanding the influence of microbiota on human health and disease. Preclinical and human trials are currently investigating the applicability of these findings in humans.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Margo D. Nathan, Aleta Wiley, Pamela B. Mahon, Julie Camuso, Kathryn Sullivan, Kathleen McCormick, Akanksha Srivastava, Kim Albert, Paul Newhouse, Hadine Joffe
Summary: This study found that women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS) exhibited differences in physiological and subjective stress responses following experimental stress paradigms compared to women without VMS, suggesting that VMS may represent a chronic stress condition.
MENOPAUSE-THE JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MENOPAUSE SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
David Q. Stoye, Gemma Sullivan, Paola Galdi, Clemens Kirschbaum, Gillian J. Lamb, Gill S. Black, Margaret J. Evans, James P. Boardman, Rebecca M. Reynolds
Summary: The study found that neonatal hair cortisol levels are influenced by factors such as gestation, maternal cortisol concentration, and fetal growth. Additionally, exposures during delivery play a significant role in determining hair cortisol levels in newborns. Postnatal factors like intravenous hydrocortisone therapy and neonatal sepsis also impact hair cortisol concentrations in preterm infants. These findings stress the importance of considering perinatal and postnatal exposures when studying how neonatal hair cortisol relates to prenatal exposures and fetal development.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Agorastos Agorastos, Alexandra Heinig, Anne Sommer, Klaus Wiedemann, Cueneyt Demiralay
Summary: This study examined the levels of several endocrine biomarkers in saliva and plasma to investigate the role of salivary DHEA as a significant biomarker of MDD progression and stress resilience. The results showed that recurrent-episode MDD patients had lower saliva DHEA levels compared to antidepressant-free MDD patients without a history of prior depressive episodes.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Maria Stein, Leila M. Soravia, Raphaela M. Tschuemperlin, Hallie M. Batschelet, Joshua Jaeger, Susanne Roesner, Anne Keller, Juan Martin Gomez Penedo, Reinout W. Wiers, Franz Moggi
Summary: This study compared two versions of alcohol-specific inhibition training (Alc-IT) in a clinical sample of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and assessed two potential working mechanisms: stimulus devaluation and inhibitory enhancement. The results showed that the improved Alc-IT with higher inhibitory demands significantly increased the percentage of days abstinent at 3-month follow-up for patients with severe AUD, indicating an inhibitory working mechanism.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cindy Sumaly Lor, Amelie Haugg, Mengfan Zhang, Letitia Schneider, Marcus Herdener, Boris B. Quednow, Narly Golestani, Frank Scharnowski
Summary: Tobacco smoking is associated with negative health outcomes and high relapse rates. A recent study investigated the role of the thalamus in substance use disorders in human smokers and found that both structural and functional measures of the thalamus were associated with smoking characteristics. The study highlights the importance of the thalamus in understanding addiction mechanisms and suggests it as a potential target for interventions to support smoking cessation.
Article
Substance Abuse
Lan Novak, Leila M. Soravia, Adina Bunter, Frederike Stoth, Alexander Wopfner, Wolfgang Weinmann, Philippe Pfeifer
Summary: This study aims to investigate the relationship between phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and withdrawal severity in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The results showed a significant positive correlation between PEth and the severity of alcohol withdrawal. Thus, blood PEth concentration could serve as an indicator for identifying high-risk withdrawal patients.
ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Dennis Koroma, Hansjoerg Znoj, Leila M. M. Soravia
Summary: There are signs of increased embitterment during the COVID-19 pandemic, linked to social exclusion, pessimism, and COVID-19-related conspiracy beliefs. Perceived social support (PSS) may act as a resilience factor for bitterness by promoting hope. Our study examined the impact of PSS on embitterment after the second wave of the pandemic. Results suggest that changes in PSS alter the prediction of embitterment, particularly among middle-aged participants. Those with high embitterment at T1 and increased PSS had higher embitterment scores at T2, while low embitterment at T1 was associated with lower embitterment scores. These findings support the idea that embittered individuals seek support for their mindset.
Article
Substance Abuse
Frederike Stoth, Wolfgang Weinmann, Leila Maria Soravia, Philippe Pfeifer
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the elimination time of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in relation to the established cutoff values of 200 and 20 ng/ml for PEth 16:0/18:1. The results show that even after 6 weeks of abstinence, two patients still had PEth concentrations above 200 ng/ml. Therefore, it is recommended to use at least two PEth concentrations when assessing alcohol-drinking behaviors in AUD patients.
ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Francesco Bavato, Fabrizio Esposito, Dario A. Dornbierer, Niklaus Zolch, Boris B. Quednow, Philipp Staempfli, Hans-Peter Landolt, Erich Seifritz, Oliver G. Bosch
Summary: Sodium oxybate (GHB) is used clinically to promote sleep and reduce sleepiness in disorders like narcolepsy and fibromyalgia, but the neural mechanisms behind its effects are unknown.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Josua Zimmermann, Niklaus Zolch, Rebecca Coray, Francesco Bavato, Nicole Friedli, Markus R. Baumgartner, Andrea E. Steuer, Antje Opitz, Annett Werner, Georg Oeltzschner, Erich Seifritz, Ann-Kathrin Stock, Christian Beste, David M. Cole, Boris B. Quednow
Summary: This study used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the glutamate-glutamine complex (GLX) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations in the brains of chronic MDMA users and MDMA-naive healthy controls. The results showed that chronic MDMA users had elevated GLX levels in the striatum, which may offer new mechanistic explanations for cognitive deficits observed in MDMA users. Overall, this study suggests that MDMA use affects not only serotonin but also striatal GLX and GABA concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dario A. A. Dornbierer, Niklaus Zolch, Diego M. M. Baur, Andreas Hock, Benjamin Stucky, Boris B. B. Quednow, Thomas Kraemer, Erich Seifritz, Oliver G. G. Bosch, Hans-Peter Landolt
Summary: In a randomized controlled trial, researchers found that the level of glutamate in the anterior cingulate cortex significantly increased after enhanced sleep, which could be one of the mechanisms of action of sodium oxybate (SXB) in the treatment of insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness.
JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Francesco Bavato, Ann-Kathrin Kexel, Bruno Kluwe-Schiavon, Aleksandra Maceski, Markus R. R. Baumgartner, Erich Seifritz, Jens Kuhle, Boris B. B. Quednow
Summary: This study found that plasma levels of the neurofilament light chain (NfL), a marker of neuroaxonal pathology, were elevated in chronic cocaine users and correlated with changes in cocaine use. This suggests that NfL may be a sensitive marker for assessing cocaine-related neuroaxonal pathology and has important implications for addiction research.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Antje Opitz, Miriam-Sophie Petasch, Regine Klappauf, Josephine Kirschgens, Julian Hinz, Lena Dittmann, Anthea S. Dathe, Boris B. Quednow, Christian Beste, Ann- Kathrin Stock
Summary: In substance use and addiction, inhibitory control is crucial for ignoring triggers, resisting cravings, and maintaining abstinence. This study investigated the relationship between interference control and chronic ATS use in adults. The findings revealed small effect sizes for ATS-related deficits in interference control, with differences observed between methamphetamine and MDMA users.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrea E. Steuer, Francesco Bavato, Laura K. Schnider, Dario A. Dornbierer, Oliver G. Bosch, Boris B. Quednow, Erich Seifritz, Christian Steuer, Thomas Kraemer
Summary: We investigated new GHB conjugates as markers for GHB ingestion/application in urine. Significant differences were found in the concentrations of GHB and its metabolites between placebo and GHB administration. The detection of GHB-glycine showed prolonged detection over GHB, especially when compared to a second urine sample.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Francesco Bavato, Erich Seifritz, Boris B. Quednow
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca C. Coray, Josua Zimmermann, Amelie Haugg, Markus R. Baumgartner, Andrea E. Steuer, Erich Seifritz, Ann-Kathrin Stock, Christian Beste, David M. Cole, Boris B. Quednow
Summary: The chronic intake of MDMA is associated with sustained declarative memory impairments. This study investigated the neuronal basis of these memory deficits and found altered brain connectivity in chronic MDMA users. The users exhibited lower performance in memory tasks and had decreased connectivity in auditory processing regions and increased connectivity in dorsal parietal regions.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lydia Johnson-Ferguson, Lilly Shanahan, Laura Bechtiger, Annekatrin Steinhoff, Josua Zimmermann, Markus R. Baumgartner, Tina M. Binz, Manuel Eisner, Denis Ribeaud, Boris B. Quednow
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different psychoactive substances on steroid hormone levels in hair while considering relevant covariates. The study found that the use of cannabis and ecstasy should be taken into account in studies examining steroid hormones.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Neuroimaging
Niklaus Denier, Sebastian Walther, Sigrid Breit, Nicolas Mertse, Andrea Federspiel, Agnes Meyer, Leila M. Soravia, Meret Wallimann, Roland Wiest, Tobias Bracht
Summary: This study investigates the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on the structure and function of the hippocampus, hippocampal pathways, and the default mode network (DMN) in patients with depression. The findings suggest that ECT induces changes in the structure and function of the hippocampus and DMN, which may contribute to clinical response in patients with depression.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shanshan Xiao, Natalie C. Ebner, Amirhossein Manzouri, Tie-Qiang Li, Diana S. Cortes, Kristoffer N. T. Mansson, Hakan Fischer
Summary: The mechanisms through which intranasal oxytocin affects the brain are not fully understood, but recent research suggests that brain regions with a higher density of oxytocin receptors may play a key role. This study used resting-state fMRI to investigate the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on connectivity between these receptor-enriched regions and other regions in the brain, and found that the effects varied depending on the age of the participants.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Lisa Haase, Antonia Vehlen, Julia Strojny, Gregor Domes
Summary: This study found no significant changes in the cortisol awakening response (CAR) over the menstrual cycle, and no significant association with variations in estradiol and progesterone. These results suggest that CAR is largely robust against hormonal variations across the menstrual cycle.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Derek Schaeuble, Tyler Wallace, Sebastian A. Pace, Shane T. Hentges, Brent Myers
Summary: Depression and cardiovascular disease are influenced by daily life stress, but the biological mechanisms behind this connection are not well understood. This study shows that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) plays a role in regulating stress responses and behavior, with sex-specific effects. In males, the vmPFC-PH circuitry promotes positive motivation and reduces stress responses, while in females it elevates stress responses. This suggests that cortical regulation of stress reactivity and behavior is mediated by projections to the hypothalamus in a sex-specific manner.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jose M. Guzman, Montana H. Boone, Gabriela L. Suarez, Colter Mitchell, Christopher S. Monk, Luke W. Hyde, Nestor L. Lopez-Duran
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased life stress and internalizing disorders, with a disproportionate impact on women. This study focused on the neuroendocrinology of stress-related disorders and found that women have lower cortisol responses and higher DHEA responses to stress. However, lower cortisol and higher DHEA are associated with internalizing disorders in women, while the opposite is true in men. The study also examined the relationship between COVID-related stress and internalizing symptoms and found gender differences in the association between DHEA and cortisol and internalizing outcomes. These findings suggest distinct neuroendocrine pathways for stress-related disorders in young men and women.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Meriah L. Dejoseph, Keira B. Leneman, Alyssa R. Palmer, Emily R. Padrutt, Otiti A. Mayo, Daniel Berry
Summary: Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for the development of the stress response system. This study found a modest positive relation between the adrenocortical and sympathetic systems, as well as between the adrenocortical and parasympathetic systems. The strength of these associations varied based on methodological and sociodemographic characteristics.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qiong Xiang, Jia-Sheng Tao, Shuai Dong, Xiao-Lin Liu, Liang Yang, Li-Ni Liu, Jing Deng, Xian-Hui Li
Summary: Chronic hyperglycemia accelerates the pathological process of cognitive dysfunction, but the heterogeneity of hippocampal cells under long-term high glucose conditions is not well known. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on diabetic mice, and distinct cell sub-clusters and important genes involved in neuroplasticity regulation were identified.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Roger Mcintosh, Hannah Hoogerwoerd, Salman S. Ahmad, Cassandra Michel, Kaitlyn Dillon, Mahendra Kumar, Gail Ironson
Summary: The study found that a 4-session guided written emotional disclosure intervention led to significant reductions in total output and concentration of epinephrine in urine for up to 6 months in individuals living with HIV. This effect was especially pronounced in women. However, there were no significant changes in norepinephrine output in urine.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Meredith Gruhn, Adam Bryant Miller, Tory A. Eisenlohr-Moul, Sophia Martin, Matthew G. Clayton, Matteo Giletta, Paul D. Hastings, Matthew K. Nock, Karen D. Rudolph, George M. Slavich, Mitchell J. Prinstein, Margaret A. Sheridan
Summary: This study investigates how early life adversity characterized by threat impacts the association between neural activity and cortisol production during emotion processing. The results suggest that threat exposure may moderate the relationship between neural activation and cortisol response.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)