Hair cortisol concentrations and cortisol stress reactivity predict PTSD symptom increase after trauma exposure during military deployment

Steudte-Schmiedgen, Susann; Stalder, Tobias; Schönfeld, Sabine; Wittchen, Hans‐Ulrich; Trautmann, Sebastian; Alexander, Nina; Miller, Robert; Kirschbaum, Clemens

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.05.007

Cited by 127 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Reduced hippocampal volume and lower cortisol secretions are common findings in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Daskalakis, et al, 2013; O'Doherty, et al, 2015). In fact, recent studies have demonstrated that lower left hippocampal volume (van Rooij, et al, 2015) and lower cortisol response to a stressor (Steudte-Schmiedgen, et al, 2015) are risk factors for PTSD. Similarly, deficits in episodic memory and decreased hippocampal volume key findings in first episode and during the course of schizophrenia (Falkai, et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased anxiety-like behaviors, but blunted cortisol stress response after neonatal hippocampal lesions in monkeys

Raper

Wilson

Sánchez

et al. 2017

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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The hippocampus is most notably known for its role in cognition and spatial memory; however it also plays an essential role in emotional behaviors and neuroendocrine responses. The current study investigated the long-term effects of neonatal hippocampal lesions (Neo-Hibo) on emotional and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. During infancy, unlike controls, Neo-Hibo monkeys exhibited enhanced expression of emotional behaviors (e.g. freezing, anxiety-like, and self-directed behaviors) when exposed to a human intruder (HI task). Upon reaching adulthood, they exhibited reduced freezing and hostility, but increased anxiety-like and self-directed behaviors during the HI task. Neo-Hibo monkeys behaved as if they systematically over-rated the risk inherent in the HI task, which supports Gray and McNaughton's septo-hippocampal theory of anxiety. Also, in adulthood, the increased levels of anxiety-like behaviors in Neo-Hibo monkeys were associated with a blunted cortisol response to the HI task. Examination of basal HPA axis function revealed that Neo-Hibo monkeys exhibited the typical diurnal cortisol decline throughout the day, but had lower cortisol concentrations in the morning as compared to controls. Taken together these data suggest that an intact hippocampus during development plays a larger role beyond that of inhibitory/negative feedback regulation of the HPA axis stress-activation, and may be critical for HPA axis basal functioning as well as for the stress response. The behavioral and neuroendocrine changes demonstrated in the current study are reminiscent of those seen in human or nonhuman primates with adult-onset hippocampal damage, demonstrating little functional compensation following early hippocampal damage.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased anxiety-like behaviors, but blunted cortisol stress response after neonatal hippocampal lesions in monkeys

Raper

Wilson

Sánchez

et al. 2017

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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“…The present findings suggest that lower HCC predicts greater stress exposure in women with a history of significant childhood abuse or neglect (CT) compared to women with no history of maltreatment - particularly when this maltreatment-related diathesis is primed by recent exposure to IPV. There is mounting evidence that HPA hypoactivity is a marker of risk for PTSD (Morris et al, 2016; Steudte-Schmiedgen et al, 2015). This study adds to that literature by demonstrating a potential role for HPA hypoactivity as a prospective risk marker for stress exposure in women with a history of childhood maltreatment, particularly in the context of recent trauma experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hair cortisol content (HCC) provides a window into long-term HPA secretion patterns, and is closely linked to risk for negative health outcomes (De Bellis et al, 2011). Lower HCC predicted more severe PTSD symptoms in combat-exposed soldiers (Steudte-Schmiedgen et al, 2015). To our knowledge, no studies have yet assessed the impact of HCC on subsequent stress exposure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychobiology of cumulative trauma: hair cortisol as a risk marker for stress exposure in women

Morris

Abelson

Mielock

et al. 2017

Stress

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Childhood trauma (CT) is associated with long-lasting alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated risk for stress exposure in adulthood. Although HPA alterations are present in the early aftermath of trauma, it remains unclear how initial HPA activity is associated with subsequent stress exposure and whether CT exposure influences the strength and direction of this association. The present study examined prospective associations between hair cortisol content (HCC) and stress exposure from baseline to 3-month follow-up in young adult women with recent (i.e., past 3 months) exposure to interpersonal violence (IPV; i.e., physical or sexual assault) and non-traumatized controls. History of significant CT (abuse or neglect was determined based on clinical cutoffs for a self-report childhood trauma measure: 12 women had abuse or neglect and recent IPV exposure (CT+IPV); 7 women had abuse or neglect but no IPV exposure (CT); 15 women had no history of trauma (NTC). HCC was computed for 3cm sections reflecting cortisol secretion during the 3 months preceding the baseline assessment. The interaction of cumulative trauma and HCC predicted stress exposure over 3-month follow-up, controlling for baseline stress exposure and depressive symptoms. Simple slopes analyses revealed that lower baseline HCC predicted greater stress exposure in the CT+IPV group compared to the CT group; HCC was not associated with stress exposure in the NTC group. The present findings highlight the potential utility of HCC as a predictor of stress exposure for women with a history of childhood abuse or neglect, particularly in the context of recent IPV.

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“…Temporally, hopelessness for a future that seems no longer within reach may manifest in depression, 63 while dissociation or hypervigilance may function as precursors for anxiety disorders or PTSD. 81 Depression, chronic pain, PTSD, and other such conditions have long been associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, 100,104 sense of threat or victimization, 70 and disturbed sleep, 20,53 and so the cycle continues.…”

Section: Integration Of Recent and Emerging Evidencementioning

confidence: 99%

An Integrated Model of Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder

Walton

Elliott²

2017

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther

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Hair cortisol concentrations and cortisol stress reactivity predict PTSD symptom increase after trauma exposure during military deployment

Cited by 127 publications

References 47 publications

Increased anxiety-like behaviors, but blunted cortisol stress response after neonatal hippocampal lesions in monkeys

Increased anxiety-like behaviors, but blunted cortisol stress response after neonatal hippocampal lesions in monkeys

Psychobiology of cumulative trauma: hair cortisol as a risk marker for stress exposure in women

An Integrated Model of Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorder

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