Gender differences in subjective stress and neuroendocrine response to a stress task among individuals with opioid dependence: A pilot study

Abstract

Background-Opioid dependence is a significant public health problem in the United States and the number of opioid overdose deaths among women has increased dramatically in comparison to men in the last few years. In this context, understanding the biological mechanisms underlying gender differences in vulnerability to opioid dependence is essential. Methods-The current pilot study examined gender differences in subjective stress, heart rate (HR), and cortisol/ dephydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) response to a laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) or a no-stress condition, and drug cue paradigm among men (n=21) and women (n=18) with opioid dependence.

Examining sex, adverse childhood experiences, and oxytocin on neuroendocrine reactivity in smokers

“…This exploratory analysis examined if the relation between ACE and oxytocin administration differentially predicted neuroendocrine stress responses for male and female smokers. In line with findings from past studies (Gilmore et al, 2019;Liu et al, 2017), our results suggest that males demonstrated higher post-TSST cortisol levels than females. Further, greater ACE were related to reduced neuroendocrine reactivity in female smokers and increased reactivity in male smokers, consistent with our hypotheses and prior literature (Back et al, 2008;Flanagan et al, 2015).…”

Suicidal ideation among adults with a recent sexual assault: Prescription opioid use and prior sexual assault

“…Blunted cortisol response to a stress task is also found among individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic event exposure (Carpenter et al, 2011; Wichmann et al, 2017). Further, there is preliminary evidence that women with PO use disorder have a blunted cortisol response to a stress task compared to men with PO use disorder (Gilmore et al, under review). Taken together, it may be that PO use combined with prior SA may compound blunted cortisol stress response, thus increasing risk of suicidal ideation and even potentially suicide attempts.…”

Relationship Between Heroin Addiction and Depression: Gender Difference and Treatment

“…There is growing evidence that there are biologically-based sex differences at every stage of drug addiction in both humans and laboratory animals [14][15][16]. Sex differences in the developmental origin and expression of the nervous system may lead to sex differences in addictive behaviours.…”

“…Although there is evidence that many qualitative aspects of the addiction stage do not differ significantly between men and women [16]. However, according to multiple studies, the biology of pain and opioid addiction is different in women and men [14,15]. Focusing on both similarities and differences between men and women in the biological aspects in addiction progress will improve the feasibility of prevention and treatment of addiction disorders.…”