Article
Biology
Ayeisha Milligan Armstrong, Tenielle Porter, Hazel Quek, Anthony White, John Haynes, Connie Jackaman, Victor Villemagne, Kylie Munyard, Simon M. Laws, Giuseppe Verdile, David Groth
Summary: Chronic psychosocial stress is recognized as a risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Factors such as dysregulation of the HPA axis and elevated levels of cortisol may contribute to the disease process. Individual differences in sensitivities to glucocorticoid and stress responses could also impact an individual's risk of developing AD.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jessica L. Irwin, Amy L. Meyering, Gage Peterson, Laura M. Glynn, Curt A. Sandman, Laurel M. Hicks, Elysia Poggi Davis
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between maternal prenatal cortisol levels and infant cortisol reactivity during inoculation. The results showed that elevated prenatal cortisol levels in mothers are associated with a larger cortisol response in infants at 6 and 12 months when faced with a challenging event.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Isabel Jaramillo, Marlene Karl, Luisa Bergunde, Judith T. Mack, Victoria Weise, Kerstin Weidner, Wei Gao, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Susan Garthus-Niegel
Summary: This study investigated the association between negative childbirth experiences and long-term glucocorticoids, and found that a negative objective birth experience was associated with an increased HairF/HairE ratio, which may be a biomarker for identifying women at risk for developing postpartum depression (PPD). Subjective birth experience was not directly related to hair cortisol concentrations, but was a significant predictor for PPD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Hoda Eliwa, Bruno Brizard, Anne-Marie Le Guisquet, Rene Hen, Catherine Belzung, Alexandre Surget
Summary: Increasing adult hippocampal neurogenesis may alleviate some depression-related behavioral and neuroendocrine dimensions, such as anhedonia and HPA axis reactivity deficits, but is hardly sufficient to produce a complete recovery.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Joanna Mikulska, Gabriela Juszczyk, Monika Gawronska-Grzywacz, Mariola Herbet
Summary: The HPA axis is implicated in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia. Increased HPA axis activity is associated with chronic stress and depression, with a correlation to gut microbiota. New therapeutic strategies for depression and schizophrenia involve targeting the HPA axis.
Article
Pediatrics
Cynthia R. Rovnaghi, Joseph Rigdon, Jean-Michel Roue, Monica O. Ruiz, Victor G. Carrion, Kanwaljeet J. S. Anand
Summary: This study aimed to identify children at risk for altered HPA-axis function due to early life stress by examining longitudinal trajectories of hair cortisol concentrations. The results revealed different classes of children with distinct HCC profiles, suggesting varying impacts of ELS on HPA-axis function.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yongmei Wu, Sailan Li, Ke Hu, Juan Yang
Summary: The study found a relationship between work stress and depressive symptoms among fishermen, with hair cortisol and cortisone potentially playing a moderating role. Fishermen with low hair cortisol or high hair cortisone levels were more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacob M. Maskal, Luiz F. Brito, Alan W. Duttlinger, Kouassi R. Kpodo, Betty R. McConn, Christopher J. Byrd, Brian T. Richert, Jeremy N. Marchant, Donald C. Lay, Shelbi D. Perry, Matthew C. Lucy, Tim J. Safranski, Jay S. Johnson
Summary: The study found that in utero heat stress can affect the postnatal hormone system responses of pigs, specifically related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis involved in corticotropin releasing hormone signaling. Additionally, age was shown to influence this response.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Evgenia E. Psarraki, Ioulia Kokka, Flora Bacopoulou, George P. Chrousos, Artemios Artemiadis, Christina Darviri
Summary: The relationship between major depressive disorder and hair cortisol concentration is inconclusive, with some studies finding higher HCC in MDD patients while others report no significant difference. There is room for improvement in research methods and sample selection in this field.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Isabelle Ouellet-Morin, Christina Cantave, Stephane Paquin, Marie-Claude Geoffroy, Mara Brendgen, Frank Vitaro, Richard Tremblay, Michel Boivin, Sonia Lupien, Sylvana Cote
Summary: This study found a nonlinear association between peer victimization and HCC for boys, with changes in peer victimization related to HCC for both boys and girls. Peer victimization predicted more depressive symptoms for all participants, except for those with lower HCC. These findings suggest persistent dysregulation of the HPA axis following exposure to chronic adversity, which may vary by sex and severity of victimization.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lin Zhou, Tian Wang, Yawen Yu, Mingan Li, Xiaohui Sun, Wenhao Song, Yunjie Wang, Ce Zhang, Fenghua Fu
Summary: Approximately one in three ischemic stroke survivors suffer from post-stroke depression (PSD), which affects functional rehabilitation and quality of life. This study focuses on the stroke-induced hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its role in PSD. The review summarizes possible etiologies of PSD, including stress and proinflammatory cytokines release, and discusses the effects of HPA axis hyperactivity on specific brain structures, enzymes expression, excitotoxicity, intestinal permeability, microglial activation, neuroendocrine regulation, inflammation, and therapy options.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yannuo Li, Ioannis P. Androulakis
Summary: The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) synchronizes physiological rhythms and adapts to changes in photoperiod, affecting the phase distribution of neuron activities. Elevated glucocorticoid levels in short photoperiods are associated with peak disease incidence. Topological changes in the SCN network may influence seasonal variations in disease incidence.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
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
Neurosciences
Trina Basu, Jamie Maguire, Jay A. Salpekar
Summary: Stress is a common seizure trigger in persons with epilepsy, and prolonged exposure to stress hormones may exacerbate epilepsy and increase the risk of psychiatric comorbidities. Hyperactivity of the HPA axis negatively impacts the structure and function of the temporal lobe, leading to neuronal damage and a cycle of increased susceptibility for seizures and psychiatric comorbidities. Targeting the HPA axis in treatment may improve seizure control and alleviate stress-related psychiatric comorbidities.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nina E. Ahlers, Sandra J. Weiss
Summary: The study found that increased prenatal exposure to PM2.5 was associated with more severe depressive symptoms in the third trimester. Greater PM2.5 exposure was also linked to higher cortisol AUCG and average cortisol levels among women, though no cortisol parameter appeared to mediate the relationship between PM2.5 exposure and depressive symptoms.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Woo Ri Chae, Anja Schienkiewitz, Yong Du, Ulfert Hapke, Christian Otte, Niels Michalski
Summary: This study analyzed the prevalence and correlates of comorbid depression and obesity in the German adult population, finding a higher prevalence among women, particularly those with low socioeconomic status and poor social support. The results highlight the need for targeted public health strategies to prevent and treat comorbid depression and obesity in women with lower socioeconomic positions.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Sforzini, Courtney Worrell, Melisa Kose, Ian M. Anderson, Bruno Aouizerate, Volker Arolt, Michael Bauer, Bernhard T. Baune, Pierre Blier, Anthony J. Cleare, Philip J. Cowen, Timothy G. Dinan, Andrea Fagiolini, I. Nicol Ferrier, Ulrich Hegerl, Andrew D. Krystal, Marion Leboyer, R. Hamish McAllister-Williams, Roger S. McIntyre, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Andrew H. Miller, Charles B. Nemeroff, Claus Normann, David Nutt, Stefano Pallanti, Luca Pani, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Alan F. Schatzberg, Richard C. Shelton, Lakshmi N. Yatham, Allan H. Young, Roland Zahn, Georgios Aislaitner, Florence Butlen-Ducuing, Christine Fletcher, Marion Haberkamp, Thomas Laughren, Fanni-Laura Mantyla, Koen Schruers, Andrew Thomson, Gara Arteaga-Henriquez, Francesco Benedetti, Lucinda Cash-Gibson, Woo Ri Chae, Heidi De Smedt, Stefan M. Gold, Witte J. G. Hoogendijk, Valeria Jordan Mondragon, Eduard Maron, Jadwiga Martynowicz, Elisa Melloni, Christian Otte, Gabriela Perez-Fuentes, Sara Poletti, Mark E. Schmidt, Edwin van de Ketterij, Katherine Woo, Yanina Flossbach, J. Antoni Ramos-Quiroga, Adam J. Savitz, Carmine M. Pariante
Summary: The document discusses the criteria for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and partially responsive depression (PRD) as subtypes of major depressive disorder (MDD) which are not clearly defined, using a Delphi-method-based consensus approach. It reviews literature and gathers international experts to evaluate controversies and provide recommendations on designing clinical trials and guiding research. It aims to support the design of a protocol for platform trials of new medications for TRD/PRD as part of the EUropean Patient-cEntric clinicAl tRial pLatforms, Innovative Medicines Initiative (EU-PEARL, IMI) MDD project.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jelena Brasanac, Stefanie Gamradt, Christian Otte, Yuri Milaneschi, Anna S. Monzel, Martin Picard, Stefan M. Gold
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sabra S. Inslicht, Andrea N. Niles, Thomas J. Metzler, Sa'ar L. Lipshitz, Christian Otte, Mohammed R. Milad, Scott P. Orr, Charles R. Marmar, Thomas C. Neylan
Summary: This study found that a single dose of hydrocortisone and D-Cycloserine can facilitate fear extinction learning in individuals with PTSD symptoms, with reduced skin conductance response during extinction learning, especially in the DCS and HC groups compared to placebo. These findings suggest that glucocorticoids and NMDA agonists hold promise for enhancing extinction learning in PTSD.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marlene Karl, Vanessa Huth, Sarah Schaelicke, Corinna Mueller-Stark, Victoria Weise, Judith T. Mack, Clemens Kirschbaum, Kerstin Weidner, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
Summary: This study found an association between maternal prenatal symptoms of depression and infants' neonatal hair cortisol levels. However, no association was observed between maternal postnatal symptoms of depression and infants' postnatal hair GCs. The results suggest that prenatal depression may contribute to dysregulated cortisol levels in infants, increasing their susceptibility to later diseases.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Livia Graumann, An Bin Cho, Eugenia Kulakova, Christian Eric Deuter, Oliver T. Wolf, Stefan Roepke, Julian Hellmann-Regen, Christian Otte, Katja Wingenfeld
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of perceived social exclusion without accompanying cortisol increase on empathy in women with BPD and healthy women. The findings showed that women with BPD reported lower emotional empathy for positive emotions, but not for negative emotions. Additionally, emotional empathy in women with BPD seems to be more sensitive to the effects of stress or ambiguous social situations.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
S. Steudte-Schmiedgen, S. Schaelicke, L. Bergunde, M. Karl, V. Weise, J. Junge-Hoffmeister, S. Schumacher, T. von Soest, K. Weidner, C. Kirschbaum, S. Garthus-Niegel
Summary: Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) is associated with maternal trauma history and long-term glucocorticoid (GC) levels, but these associations were not significant after correcting for multiple testing. Trauma history predicted higher CB-PTSD symptoms, but hair GC levels did not predict or mediate the relationship between trauma history and CB-PTSD symptoms. The subjective birth experience moderated the relationship between hair GC levels and CB-PTSD symptoms.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Tolou Maslahati, Katja Wingenfeld, Julian Hellmann-Regen, Julia Kraft, Jing Lyu, Marie Keinert, Aline Voss, An Bin Cho, Stephan Ripke, Christian Otte, Katharina Schultebraucks, Stefan Roepke
Summary: This study investigates the effect of oxytocin administration during the consolidation of a trauma analogue on the formation of intrusive memories. The results suggest that genetic, neurobiological, and psychological factors play a role in the consolidation of intrusive memories, while oxytocin does not have a significant effect.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sabine Mogwitz, Christian Albus, Petra Beschoner, Yesim Erim, Franziska Geiser, Lucia Jerg-Bretzke, Eva Morawa, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Gloria-Beatrice Wintermann, Kerstin Weidner
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the mental distress and quality of life of outpatient care (POC) physicians compared to inpatient care (PIC) physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was found that POC physicians had higher levels of mental distress and lower quality of life during the second wave of the pandemic. Emotional and supportive human relations play a protective role in the mental health and well-being of POC physicians.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Stefan Roepke, Nikola Schoofs, Kathlen Priebe, Felix Wuelfing, Christian Schmahl, Robert Roehle, Jenny Zaehringer, Tobias Lotter, Christian Otte, Stefanie Koglin
Summary: This study aims to compare the efficacy of oral dronabinol and placebo in reducing nightmares in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and evaluate its safety and tolerability.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Woo Ri Chae, Jens Baumert, Julia Nuebel, Jelena Brasanac, Stefan M. Gold, Ulfert Hapke, Christian Otte
Summary: Inflammation and metabolic dysregulations are likely to underlie atypical depressive symptoms such as appetite and sleep alterations. This study aimed to replicate associations between individual depressive symptoms and immunometabolic markers, extend previous findings with additional markers, and evaluate their relative contribution to depressive symptoms. The results indicated that appetite alterations and insomnia were the most important symptoms associated with metabolic markers.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Livia Graumann, Johannes Bodo Heekerens, Moritz Duesenberg, Sophie Metz, Carsten Spitzer, Christian Otte, Stefan Roepke, Katja Wingenfeld
Summary: Dissociative symptoms are common in trauma-related disorders and depressive disorders, but the relationship between baseline dissociation and acute dissociative states is not well understood. This study examined how levels of baseline dissociation relate to changes in dissociative states during a laboratory stress induction.
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER AND EMOTION DYSREGULATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Isabel Jaramillo, Marlene Karl, Luisa Bergunde, Judith T. Mack, Victoria Weise, Kerstin Weidner, Wei Gao, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen, Susan Garthus-Niegel
Summary: This study investigated the association between negative childbirth experiences and long-term glucocorticoids, and found that a negative objective birth experience was associated with an increased HairF/HairE ratio, which may be a biomarker for identifying women at risk for developing postpartum depression (PPD). Subjective birth experience was not directly related to hair cortisol concentrations, but was a significant predictor for PPD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Catarina Rosada, Martin Bauer, Sabrina Golde, Sophie Metz, Stefan Roepke, Christian Otte, Claudia Buss, Katja Wingenfeld
Summary: This study compared cortical thickness in healthy women, women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and women with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The findings showed that reduced cortical thickness in the occipital lobe and frontal and cingulate cortex may be related to childhood trauma and serve as neuroanatomical markers for BPD.
PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Luisa Bergunde, Marlene Karl, Sarah Schaelicke, Victoria Weise, Judith T. Mack, Tilmann von Soest, Wei Gao, Kerstin Weidner, Susan Garthus-Niegel, Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
Summary: The study found that lifetime trauma and reduced maternal hair anandamide concentrations during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (CB-PTSS), particularly in the presence of negative subjective birth experience.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
