No abstract

The stress response is regulated by two primary neuroendocrine systems, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and sympathetic adrenomedullary (SAM) systems. This study investigated gender differences in the activities of these two systems in response to acute psychological stress. Subjects were categorized according to their score in Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which assesses the predisposition to personal anxiety. High (STAI score >or=55)- and low (STAI score