Psychoneuroendocrinology
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · May 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialExamination stress results in altered cardiovascular responses to acute challenge and lower cortisol.
The present study examined how cardiovascular and salivary cortisol responses varied in response to an acute challenge in medical students under exam stress versus those not under exam stress. One hundred and twenty-nine medical students were randomly assigned to undertake a CO2 inhalation test either prior to an examination period (exam group) or during a regular academic period (non-exam group). Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured for 5 min before and 5 min after the task, and salivary cortisol samples were collected 1 min before and 10 and 30 min after the CO2 inhalation test. ⋯ Female students across both groups exhibited significantly lower SBP reactivity compared with male students. Salivary cortisol levels were consistently lower in the exam group. These findings indicate that ongoing natural stress alters cortisol secretion and cardiovascular responses in the face of an acute stress challenge.
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialCharacterization of verbal and spatial memory changes from moderate to supraphysiological increases in serum testosterone in healthy older men.
It has been suggested that cognitive changes in response to T supplementation may occur within an ideal range. The objective of this study was to compare the cognitive responses of older, eugonadal men in whom moderate or large increases in serum testosterone levels was induced by exogenous testosterone supplementation. ⋯ These results suggest that in healthy older men, beneficial changes in cognitive function induced by T supplementation are most evident with moderate changes in cognition from moderate to high T supplementation increases in T levels. Large or no to low increases in T levels do not appear to appreciably effect cognition.
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Jan 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialSalivary alpha amylase as marker for adrenergic activity during stress: effect of betablockade.
Free salivary cortisol is an established non-invasive marker of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity. In contrast, such a well-characterized salivary marker for activity of the sympatho-adrenal medullar (SAM) system is still missing. As one potential candidate salivary alpha amylase (sAA) has been suggested. ⋯ During the scanning procedure, in which participants were confronted with highly negative emotional pictures, the significant increase in sAA levels in the PL group compared to the BB group persisted. No additional change was noticed in heart rate or blood pressure during scanning in the PL or BB group. The current pharmacological study in the human provides direct evidence for the sensitivity of sAA to changes in adrenergic activation, specifically in reaction to psychological stress.
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Aug 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of growth hormone substitution on cognitive performance in adult patients with hypopituitarism.
Adult hypopituitary patients with growth hormone deficiency, though on adequate adrenal, thyroid or sex hormone replacement therapy, complain of attention and memory disabilities. During the past years several studies have evidenced that growth hormone (GH) may exert distinctive effects on the central nervous system and induce beneficial effects on psychological capabilities. The aim of our study was to determine whether a long-term replacement therapy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) affects cognitive performance in adults with GH deficiency. ⋯ RhGH treatment appears to have a beneficial effect on attentional performance in adult hypopituitary patients with GH deficiency when treated for at least 3 months. Our study does not support a role for GH in influencing verbal memory or non-verbal intelligence.
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Psychoneuroendocrinology · Jun 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSalivary cortisol sampling compliance: comparison of patients and healthy volunteers.
Problems of compliance with in vivo data collection and treatment protocols have been identified. This study investigated compliance with salivary cortisol sampling in a 7-day protocol. Impact of non-compliance on cortisol data was evaluated. ⋯ Self-report of compliance in a salivary cortisol sampling protocol substantially overestimates actual compliance in the absence of objective monitoring. Non-compliance with the sampling protocol results in cortisol data that significantly differs from compliant data. Awareness of electronic monitoring of sampling results in satisfactory compliance.