Review
Behavioral Sciences
Hannah Klusmann, Noemi Luecking, Sinha Engel, Meike Katharina Blecker, Christine Knaevelsrud, Sarah Schumacher
Summary: Sex disparities in the biological response to acute stressors were investigated in this systematic review and meta-analysis, with a focus on the influence of ovarian hormones on HPA axis functioning. The study found higher cortisol reactivity in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase, suggesting a difference in HPA axis reactivity between menstrual cycle phases. However, more high-quality primary studies are needed to further explore this association. This review was not funded and was pre-registered in PROSPERO.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Carly McLaughlin, Robert Schutze, David Henley, Craig Pennell, Leon Straker, Anne Smith
Summary: The study found an association in males between high prenatal stress exposure at 18 weeks gestation and a heightened TSST response, while increasing stress exposure during adolescence may lead to males being more likely to be non-responders and females more likely to be responders.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Meier, Kristina Haub, Marie-Luise Schramm, Marc Hamma, Ulrike U. Bentele, Stephanie J. Dimitroff, Raphaela Gartner, Bernadette F. Denk, Annika B. E. Benz, Eva Unternaehrer, Jens C. Pruessner
Summary: The study focused on the effects of an online version of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) on cortisol, alpha amylase, pleasure, and arousal levels in adults. It also compared the cortisol responses between men and women. The results showed that the online TSST successfully induced psychophysiological stress in adults, with significant increases in cortisol, alpha amylase, and arousal levels, and a decrease in pleasure. Moreover, cortisol responses were found to be stronger in males compared to females.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Tiago Silveira-Rosa, Antonio Mateus-Pinheiro, Joana Sofia Correia, Joana Margarida Silva, Joana Martins-Macedo, Bruna Araujo, Ana Rita Machado-Santos, Nuno Dinis Alves, Mariana Silva, Eduardo Loureiro-Campos, Ioannis Sotiropoulos, Joao Miguel Bessa, Ana Joao Rodrigues, Nuno Sousa, Patricia Patricio, Luisa Pinto
Summary: Our study demonstrates that regulation of the HPA axis response by hABN is sex-differentiated. Male GFAP-Tk rats show heightened acute stress response, while female GFAP-Tk rats exhibit increased corticosterone secretion at nadir and a heightened yet delayed response to an acute stress stimulus.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Sarah Glier, Alana Campbell, Rachel Corr, Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli, Mae Yefimov, Carina Guerra, Kathryn Scott, Louis Murphy, Joshua Bizzell, Aysenil Belger
Summary: Dysregulations in autonomic and endocrine stress responses in adolescence are associated with the emergence of psychopathology. This study comprehensively evaluated the coordination of parasympathetic, sympathetic, and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis components in 72 typically developing adolescents. The findings supported the predictions of the Adaptive Calibration Model and highlighted the importance of studying multisystem dynamics in understanding stress response regulation.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hannah Klusmann, Lars Schulze, Sinha Engel, Elise Bucklein, Daria Daehn, Serena Lozza-Fiacco, Angelika Geiling, Caroline Meyer, Elizabeth Andersen, Christine Knaevelsrud, Sarah Schumacher
Summary: This meta-analysis investigates the impact of fluctuating sex hormones across the menstrual cycle on basal cortisol concentrations as a marker for HPA axis activity. The results show higher cortisol concentrations in the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase. In addition, there are higher concentrations in the menstrual phase compared to the premenstrual phase. However, more rigorous investigation of HPA axis activity and menstrual cycle phase is needed.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Julia Hofmann, Christine Huber, Bozidar Novak, Monika Schreckenbach, Christine F. Schubert, Chadi Touma, Bart P. F. Rutten, Ulrike Schmidt
Summary: This study aimed to identify blood biomarkers for different subtypes of PTSD, specifically the hyporesponsive HPA axis subtype. The study found that blood OXTR mRNA could potentially be a biomarker for this subtype, as well as for a mouse model of PTSD. Additionally, the study provided evidence for a regulation of OXTR expression dependent on HPA axis reactivity traits.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Shu-Sha Angie Guan, Gabriela Jimenez, Jennifer Cabrera, Anna Cho, Omar Ullah, Ruben Den Broeder
Summary: The study found that providing support to family members can enhance an individual's self-esteem, especially for Asian American and Latinx individuals. However, there were variations in the physiological stress response among Asian American and Latinx individuals.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kevin B. Smith, Emma Murray, James Gardner Gregory, Jacky Liang, Nafissa Ismail
Summary: Puberty is a critical period for cortical and neuronal development, with stress potentially leading to long-term anxiety and depression. Probiotic treatment shows promise in mitigating these mental health issues and influencing the programming of the HPA axis. Sex-specific differences in the gut microbiome's impact on HPA axis programming during puberty warrant further investigation.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eunkyoung Kim, Zhiling Zhao, John Robertson Rzasa, Matthew Glassman, William E. Bentley, Shuo Chen, Deanna L. Kelly, Gregory F. Payne
Summary: This study investigated the association between psychosocial stress and oxidative stress using a Trier Social Stress Test. The results showed that oxidative stress metrics significantly increased in both a healthy control group and a schizophrenia group after acute psychosocial stress. By using an Ir-reducing capacity assay, the researchers identified five oxidative stress metrics that were consistent with expectations, and these metrics could discern statistically significant increases in oxidative stress levels in both groups 90 minutes after the stressor.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Caitlin Grace, Markus Heinrichs, Peter Koval, Alexandra Gorelik, Bernadette von Dawans, Gill Terrett, Peter Rendell, Izelle Labuschagne
Summary: This study examined how individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) react physiologically and subjectively to social stress compared to healthy controls. The results showed no significant difference in salivary cortisol levels between the two groups, but there were significant differences in self-reported affect. The SAD group reported higher negative affect and lower happiness compared to the controls, and they also displayed greater negative affect reactivity and diminished happiness reactivity in response to social stress. The findings suggest that subjective sensitivity to social evaluative stress may be a key target for the treatment of SAD.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ayad Mohammed Salem
Summary: Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ, producing biologically active mediators known as adipocytokines that play a role in various physiological functions, including reproduction. Factors such as body weight, body fat compositions, and nutrition have a significant impact on fertility, puberty, pregnancy, and menstrual cycles. Leptin, the first discovered adipocytokine, plays a crucial role in energy homeostasis and reproductive function, interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Pan, Minjie Chen, Xuan Zhang, Shuai Liang, Xiaobo Qin, Lianglin Qiu, Qi Cao, Renzhen Peng, Shimin Tao, Zhouzhou Li, Yaning Zhu, Haidong Kan, Yanyi Xu, Zhekang Ying
Summary: This study found that ambient PM2.5 exposure can activate the HPA axis and mediate PM2.5-induced pulmonary inflammation, providing insights into the contribution of central neurohormonal mechanisms in modulating adverse health effects caused by exposure to PM2.5.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Sarah Herzog, Hanga Galfalvy, John G. Keilp, J. John Mann, M. Elizabeth Sublette, Ainsley Burke, Maria A. Oquendo, Barbara H. Stanley
Summary: Higher intent suicide attempts are associated with an increased risk of future suicidal behavior. Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is linked to both nonfatal suicidal behavior and suicide deaths in major depressive disorder. However, few studies have identified biological markers for a high-intent suicidal subgroup.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giorgia Boero, Ryan E. Tyler, Todd K. O'Buckley, Irina Balan, Joyce Besheer, A. Leslie Morrow
Summary: This study found that 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP has different regulatory effects on stress response in male and female rats. 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP can reduce the increase of circulating corticosterone after stress and have different effects on the expression levels of hypothalamic CRF, CRFR1, CRFBP, POMC, and GR. These results suggest that gender differences and stress types play important roles in the regulation of the HPA axis by 3 alpha,5 alpha-THP.
Article
Psychiatry
David Baumeister, Emmanuelle Peters, Jens Pruessner, Oliver Howes, Paul Chadwick
Summary: Negative voice content is more associated with increased subjective stress-reactivity compared to other voices or auditory stimuli. Mindful voice-appraisals may partially moderate this effect. These findings highlight the importance of voice content for the impact of voice-hearing and the potential value of mindfulness training in treating voice distress in psychosis.
SCHIZOPHRENIA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Annika B. E. Benz, Liliane Vanessa Kloker, Tim Kuhlmann, Maria Meier, Eva Unternaehrer, Ulrike U. Bentele, Stephanie J. Dimitroff, Bernadette F. Denk, Ulf-Dietrich Reips, Jens C. Pruessner
Summary: The German translation of the PBI showed good psychometric properties and demonstrated significant differences in reported parenting styles among different groups of individuals. The use of a 3-factor structure provided additional value, such as improved differentiation between normal-weight and overweight individuals.
PSYCHOTHERAPIE PSYCHOSOMATIK MEDIZINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Xi Ren, Xiaolin Zhao, Jiwen Li, Yadong Liu, Yipeng Ren, Jens C. Pruessner, Juan Yang
Summary: Higher daily stress levels are associated with lower salivary cortisol secretion and lower activation of the left hippocampus in response to a stress task. In addition, higher daily stress levels are associated with stronger functional connectivity between the left hippocampus and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex.
PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Katja Hoehne, Pascal Vrticka, Veronika Engert, Tania Singer
Summary: This study examined the relationship between plasma oxytocin levels, cortisol, and subjective stress reactivity to explore the impact of mental training on stress reduction. While stress triggered acute oxytocin release, a single Loving-kindness Meditation did not affect oxytocin release. Compassion-based affect training decreased overall oxytocin levels during stress, but increased levels during meditation, regardless of cortisol and subjective stress reactivity. The findings suggest that changes in peripheral oxytocin release do not mediate stress reduction after mental training, highlighting the potential importance of an allostatic concept of oxytocin.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Cherie Strikwerda-Brown, Diana A. Hobbs, Julie Gonneaud, Frederic St-Onge, Alexa Pichet Binette, Hazal Ozlen, Karine Provost, Jean-Paul Soucy, Rachel F. Buckley, Tammie L. S. Benzinger, John C. Morris, Victor L. Villemagne, Vincent Dore, Reisa A. Sperling, Keith A. Johnson, Christopher C. Rowe, Brian A. Gordon, Judes Poirier, John C. S. Breitner, Sylvia Villeneuve
Summary: The study confirmed the clinical value of NIA-AA biological research criteria in predicting whether older individuals with no cognitive impairment will develop AD symptoms in the near future, with most A+T+(N+) individuals developing AD symptoms within 2 to 3 years.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Annika B. E. Benz, Raphaela J. Gaertner, Maria Meier, Eva Unternaehrer, Simona Scharndke, Clara Jupe, Maya Wenzel, Ulrike U. Bentele, Stephanie J. Dimitroff, Bernadette F. Denk, Jens C. Pruessner
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that natural environments contribute to psychological health and physiological relaxation. This study investigates the effects of nature-based relaxation videos on heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR), revealing a decrease in HR and an increase in HRV during video interventions. The findings suggest that aspects of early life adversity and trait mindfulness may influence individual responses to relaxation videos.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Sophie Koehne, Veronika Engert, Jenny Rosendahl
Summary: There is a debate among researchers about whether resilience is a dynamic state or stable trait. This study aimed to investigate the stability and construct validity of commonly used resilience scales and assess their predictive validity. The results showed strong correlations between resilience scales and Big Five personality traits. Most scales showed high test-retest correlations, and experiencing additional significant life events during the pandemic led to an increase in resilience. Associations between resilience and psychological distress were weak when controlling for personality and baseline distress. However, resilience explained additional variance in distress change beyond personality traits. Overall, the results suggest both high stability and dynamic features of resilience in the face of significant adversity.
PERSONALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Alexandra Barnabe, Karine Gamache, Joao Vitor Paes de Camargo, Erin Allen-Flanagan, Mathilde Rioux, Jens Pruessner, Marco Leyton, Karim Nader
Summary: Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death globally. This study examined the potential of stress to enhance the effects of a memory updating intervention on smoking cessation. The findings showed that individuals exposed to stress had greater psychophysiological responses during the intervention and experienced greater reductions in cigarette use.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Jonas P. Nitschke, Jens C. Pruessner, Jennifer A. Bartz
Summary: This study suggests that acute psychosocial stress enhances empathic accuracy in men, related to their glucocorticoid response, while it has no effect on women, who also show a smaller cortisol response to stress.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tobias Stalder, Sonia J. Lupien, Brigitte M. Kudielka, Emma K. Adam, Jens C. Pruessner, Stefan Wuest, Samantha Dockray, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Clemens Kirschbaum, Robert Miller, Mark A. Wetherell, Johannes B. Finke, Tim Klucken, Angela Clow
Summary: This article reports a critical evaluation and update of current cortisol awakening response (CAR) methodology, presenting an updated and streamlined version of the CAR consensus guidelines. A quantitative evaluation of CAR research shows limited improvement in implementing core recommendations, but evidence confirms the accuracy of the original guidelines. Furthermore, recent technological advances offer potential cost-saving methods for CAR assessment in future research.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Veronika Engert, Katja Hoehne, Tania Singer
Summary: Regular contemplative mental practices, such as meditation and thinking, can help reduce stress. Specifically, compassion- and care-based training is more effective in reducing stress compared to attention and meta-cognitive skill-focused training.
Article
Psychology, Experimental
Jost Ulrich Blasberg, Joana Jost, Philipp Kanske, Veronika Engert
Summary: The closeness of the parent-child relationship determines the likelihood of children spontaneously reproducing the emotional and physiological stress response of their mothers. This study investigated whether psychosocial stress in mothers is causally linked to empathic stress in children. The findings showed that children in the stress group were more likely to exhibit significant cortisol release, particularly boys. Watching stressed mothers also triggered stronger subjective and physiological stress responses in children, with the latter being influenced by cognitive empathy. Only in stressed parent-child pairs did the children's physiological responses resonate with those of their mothers. In conclusion, young children are capable of spontaneously reproducing their mother's stress response, even when mildly stressed.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY-GENERAL
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Magdalena Degering, Roman Linz, Lara M. C. Puhlmann, Tania Singer, Veronika Engert
Summary: Exposure to excessive and long-term stress may lead to dysregulation of the stress system, including acute stress response. The contribution of altered acute cortisol recovery to chronic stress and associated health impairments has been neglected in research.
BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, & IMMUNITY - HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Ruth Marheinecke, Bernhard Strauss, Veronika Engert
Summary: Exposure to psychological trauma and chronic stressors can both have negative health consequences, but the harmful impact of chronic stressors is often not recognized in clinical, political, and societal settings. Victims of political repression in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) experienced covert methods that caused significant psychological and social harm. Understanding the psychological and biological effects of political repression is crucial for the healthcare of victims and those currently experiencing similar forms of repression.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah E. M. Stoll, Leonie Mack, Jean P. P. Scheib, Jens Pruessner, Jennifer Randerath
Summary: Efficient movement selection is crucial in everyday activities. This study suggests that our stress system might influence this function, particularly for plan-based approaches. Variations in parasympathetic activity appear to be disadvantageous for improving plan-based movement selection, while performance in rule-based movement selection tasks remains relatively unaffected.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Biological
Robert W. Levenson
Summary: This article describes the development of paradigms for studying dyadic interaction in the laboratory, methods, and analytics for dealing with dyadic data. It provides research findings from the author and others, with a particular focus on dyadic measures of linkage or synchrony in physiology, expressive behavior, and subjective affective experience.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Thomas M. Olino, Matthew Mattoni
Summary: This study examined brain function in offspring of mothers with and without depression using monetary and social reward tasks. The results showed no significant differences in task activation and functional connectivity between the two groups. The study discussed the possibility of developmental timing in finding differences.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2024)
