scholarly journals Combined dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing factor test in chronic fatigue syndrome

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 963-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Van Den Eede ◽  
G. Moorkens ◽  
W. Hulstijn ◽  
B. Van Houdenhove ◽  
P. Cosyns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cortisol Responses

BackgroundStudies of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) point to hypofunction, although there are negative reports. Suggested mechanisms include a reduced hypothalamic or supra-hypothalamic stimulus to the HPA axis and enhanced sensitivity to the negative feedback of glucocorticoids. The aim of the current study was to investigate HPA axis function in CFS with the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing factor (Dex/CRF) test, in analogy with research in affective disorders.MethodThirty-four well-characterized female CFS patients and 25 healthy control subjects participated in the low-dose Dex/CRF test. Current major depressive episode was an exclusion criterion. History of early-life stress (ELS) was assessed with the Structured Trauma Interview.ResultsSalivary cortisol responses after 0.5 mg Dex were lower in CFS patients than in controls (before 100 μg CRF, p=0.038; after 100 μg CRF, p=0.015). A secondary analysis revealed an influence of early-life stress and of oestrogen intake. After removal of the 10 participants who were taking an oral oestrogen, patients without a history of ELS showed lower cortisol responses than patients with ELS and controls (before CRF, p=0.005; after CRF, p=0.008).ConclusionsCFS is globally associated with reduced cortisol responses in the combined low-dose Dex/CRF test, but this effect is only clearly present in CFS patients without a history of ELS. This study provides further support for an enhanced glucocorticoid negative feedback and/or a reduced central HPA axis drive in CFS. Furthermore, it demonstrates that ELS is an important variable to consider in CFS research.

scholarly journals The role of corticotropin-releasing factor in depression and anxiety disorders

1999 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Arborelius ◽  
MJ Owens ◽  
PM Plotsky ◽  
CB Nemeroff
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Neuronal Systems

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a 41 amino acid-containing peptide, appears to mediate not only the endocrine but also the autonomic and behavioral responses to stress. Stress, in particular early-life stress such as childhood abuse and neglect, has been associated with a higher prevalence rate of affective and anxiety disorders in adulthood. In the present review, we describe the evidence suggesting that CRF is hypersecreted from hypothalamic as well as from extrahypothalamic neurons in depression, resulting in hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of CRF. This increase in CRF neuronal activity is also believed to mediate certain of the behavioral symptoms of depression involving sleep and appetite disturbances, reduced libido, and psychomotor changes. The hyperactivity of CRF neuronal systems appears to be a state marker for depression because HPA axis hyperactivity normalizes following successful antidepressant treatment. Similar biochemical and behavioral findings have been observed in adult rats and monkeys that have been subjected to early-life stress. In contrast, clinical studies have not revealed any consistent changes in CSF CRF concentrations in patients with anxiety disorders; however, preclinical findings strongly implicate a role for CRF in the pathophysiology of certain anxiety disorders, probably through its effects on central noradrenergic systems. The findings reviewed here support the hypothesis that CRF receptor antagonists may represent a novel class of antidepressants and/or anxiolytics.

The Role of Early Life Stress in HPA Axis and Anxiety

2020 ◽  
pp. 141-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario F. Juruena ◽  
Filip Eror ◽  
Anthony J. Cleare ◽  
Allan H. Young
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress

scholarly journals Effects of Early-Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviors: Implications of Early Maternal Separation in Rodents

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 7212
Author(s):  
Mayumi Nishi
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Brain Function ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Emotional Behavior ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
The Brain

Early-life stress during the prenatal and postnatal periods affects the formation of neural networks that influence brain function throughout life. Previous studies have indicated that maternal separation (MS), a typical rodent model equivalent to early-life stress and, more specifically, to child abuse and/or neglect in humans, can modulate the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, affecting subsequent neuronal function and emotional behavior. However, the neural basis of the long-lasting effects of early-life stress on brain function has not been clarified. In the present review, we describe the alterations in the HPA-axis activity—focusing on serum corticosterone (CORT)—and in the end products of the HPA axis as well as on the CORT receptor in rodents. We then introduce the brain regions activated during various patterns of MS, including repeated MS and single exposure to MS at various stages before weaning, via an investigation of c-Fos expression, which is a biological marker of neuronal activity. Furthermore, we discuss the alterations in behavior and gene expression in the brains of adult mice exposed to MS. Finally, we ask whether MS repeats itself and whether intergenerational transmission of child abuse and neglect is possible.

scholarly journals Influence of early life stress on later hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis functioning and its covariation with mental health symptoms: A study of the allostatic process from childhood into adolescence

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1039-1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn J. Essex ◽  
Elizabeth A. Shirtcliff ◽  
Linnea R. Burk ◽  
Paula L. Ruttle ◽  
Marjorie H. Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Model ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal

AbstractThe hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is a primary mechanism in the allostatic process through which early life stress (ELS) contributes to disease. Studies of the influence of ELS on children's HPA axis functioning have yielded inconsistent findings. To address this issue, the present study considers multiple types of ELS (maternal depression, paternal depression, and family expressed anger), mental health symptoms, and two components of HPA functioning (traitlike and epoch-specific activity) in a long-term prospective community study of 357 children. ELS was assessed during the infancy and preschool periods; mental health symptoms and cortisol were assessed at child ages 9, 11, 13, and 15 years. A three-level hierarchical linear model addressed questions regarding the influences of ELS on HPA functioning and its covariation with mental health symptoms. ELS influenced traitlike cortisol level and slope, with both hyper- and hypoarousal evident depending on type of ELS. Further, type(s) of ELS influenced covariation of epoch-specific HPA functioning and mental health symptoms, with a tighter coupling of HPA alterations with symptom severity among children exposed previously to ELS. Results highlight the importance of examining multiple types of ELS and dynamic HPA functioning in order to capture the allostatic process unfolding across the transition into adolescence.

scholarly journals Cerebrospinal Fluid Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Perceived Early-Life Stress in Depressed Patients and Healthy Control Subjects

2003 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L Carpenter ◽  
Audrey R Tyrka ◽  
Christopher J McDougle ◽  
Robert T Malison ◽  
Michael J Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Healthy Control

scholarly journals Developmental stress and social phenotypes: integrating neuroendocrine, behavioural and evolutionary perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1727) ◽  
pp. 20160242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Developmental Stress ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Neuroendocrine Axis ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Social Behaviours

The social world is filled with different types of interactions, and social experience interacts with stress on several different levels. Activation of the neuroendocrine axis that regulates the response to stress can have consequences for innumerable behavioural responses, including social decision-making and aspects of sociality, such as gregariousness and aggression. This is especially true for stress experienced during early life, when physiological systems are developing and highly sensitive to perturbation. Stress at this time can have persistent effects on social behaviours into adulthood. One important question remaining is to what extent these effects are adaptive. This paper initially reviews the current literature investigating the complex relationships between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and other neuroendocrine systems and several aspects of social behaviour in vertebrates. In addition, the review explores the evidence surrounding the potential for ‘social programming’ via differential development and activation of the HPA axis, providing an insight into the potential for positive effects on fitness following early life stress. Finally, the paper provides a framework from which novel investigations could work to fully understand the adaptive significance of early life effects on social behaviours. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Physiological determinants of social behaviour in animals'.

scholarly journals Early Life Stress Associated With Increased Striatal N-Acetyl-Aspartate: Cerebrospinal Fluid Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Concentrations, Hippocampal Volume, Body Mass, and Behavioral Correlates

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 247054701876845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy D. Coplan ◽  
Dunyue Lu ◽  
Alexander M. El Sehamy ◽  
Cheuk Tang ◽  
Andrea P. Jackowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Stress Markers

Introduction Using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging, the effects of early life stress on nonhuman primate striatal neuronal integrity were examined as reflected by N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) concentrations. NAA measures were interrogated through examining their relationship to previously documented early life stress markers—cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations, hippocampal volume, body mass, and behavioral timidity. Rodent models of depression exhibit increases in neurotrophic effects in the nucleus accumbens. We hypothesized that rearing under conditions of early life stress (variable foraging demand, VFD) would produce persistent elevations of NAA concentrations (in absolute or ratio form) in ventral striatum/caudate nucleus (VS/CN) with altered correlation to early life stress markers. Methods Eleven bonnet macaque males reared under VFD conditions and seven age-matched control subjects underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging during young adulthood. Voxels were placed over VS/CN to capture nucleus accumbens. Cisternal cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations, hippocampal volume, body mass, and response to a human intruder had been previously determined. Results VFD-reared monkeys exhibited significantly increased NAA/creatine concentrations in right VS/CN in comparison to normally reared controls, controlling for multiple comparisons. In comparison to controls, VFD cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing factor concentrations were directly associated with right VS/CN absolute NAA. Left hippocampal volume was inversely associated with left VS/CN NAA/creatine in VFD reared but not in controls. Disruption of a normative inverse correlation between left VS/CN NAA and body mass was noted in VFD. Only non-VFD subjects exhibited a direct relationship between timidity response to an intruder and right VS/CN NAA. Conclusion Early life stress produced persistent increases in VS/CN NAA, which demonstrated specific patterns of association (or lack thereof) to early life stress markers in comparison to non-VFD subjects. The data are broadly consistent with a stable nonhuman primate phenotype of anxiety and mood disorder vulnerability whereby in vivo indicators of neuronal integrity, although reduced in hippocampus, are increased in striatum. The findings may provide a catalyst for further studies in humans and other species regarding a reciprocal hippocampal/nucleus accumbens relationship in affective disorders.

Assessment of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity: glucocorticoid receptor and mineralocorticoid receptor function in depression with early life stress – a systematic review

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane Von Werne Baes ◽  
Sandra M. de Carvalho Tofoli ◽  
Camila Maria S. Martins ◽  
Mario F. Juruena
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Depressed Patients ◽  
Suppression Test

Objective:The mechanisms involved in the dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, especially in the functioning of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in depressed patients, are not well elucidated. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of articles that assess the HPA axis activity from GR and MR in depressed patients and healthy controls with or without early life stress.Methods:We conducted a systematic review of articles in PubMed, SCOPUS and SciELO published between 2000 and 2011, using the following search terms:child abuse,depression,HPA axis,dexamethasone,prednisolone,fludrocortisoneandspironolactone. Thirty-four papers were selected for this review.Results:Most studies identified in this review used the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test and dexamethasone suppression test. In these studies, hypercortisolaemia was associated with depression. We identified three studies with the Prednisolone suppression test, only one study with the use of fludrocortisone and one with spironolactone. This review found nine studies that evaluated the HPA axis in individuals with early life stress.Conclusions:The majority of the studies assessed in this review show that early life stress leads to permanent changes in the HPA axis and may lead to development of depression in adults. The most consistent findings in the literature show increased activity of the HPA axis in depression associated with hypercortisolaemia and reduced inhibitory feedback. These findings suggest that this dysregulation of the HPA axis is partially attributable to an imbalance between GR and MR. Evidences have consistently showed that GR function is impaired in major depression, but few studies have assessed the activity of MR in depression and early life stress.

scholarly journals Automaticity as a Vulnerability to Depression: Daily Mood-Reactive Rumination and Early-Life Stress in People With- and Without Depression History

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristján Helgi Hjartarson ◽  
Ivar Snorrason ◽  
Laura Francina Bringmann ◽  
Ragnar P. Ólafsson
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Conscious Awareness ◽  
Depression Vulnerability ◽  
Negative Thinking ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mood Reactivity

Depressive rumination has been conceptualized as a mental habit that is initiated automatically without conscious awareness, intent or control in response to negative mood. However, it is unknown whether depression vulnerability is characterized by elevated levels of mood-reactive rumination at the level of short-term dynamics. Using mobile ecological momentary assessment, formerly depressed individuals with a recurrent history of depression (n = 94) and non-clinical controls (n = 55) recorded in-the-moment affect and rumination ten times daily over six days, after completing measures of trait ruminative brooding, early-life stress, and habitual characteristics of negative thinking (e.g., automaticity, lack of conscious awareness, intent, and control). Momentary fluctuations in negative affect were prospectively associated with greater rumination at the next sampling occasion in formerly depressed participants whereas this pattern was not observed in non-clinical controls. In formerly depressed participants, the degree of mood-reactivity was moderated by habitual characteristics of negative thinking, which interacted with a history of early-life stress in predicting greater mood-reactive rumination. It was not, however, associated with depression course nor with the frequency of trait ruminative brooding. Mood-reactive rumination may be a vulnerability marker for depression, triggered in response to negative affect with a high degree of automaticity, making it difficult to control. It might constitute a risk independent of the depressive course and originate in early-life stress. Future studies may need to go beyond frequency and target the mood-reactivity and automaticity of ruminative thinking to reduce depression vulnerability

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