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D H Hellhammer

Publications and source records attributed to D H Hellhammer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Salivary cortisol in psychoneuroendocrine research: recent developments and applications.

The assessment of cortisol in saliva has proven a valid and reliable reflection of the respective unbound hormone in blood. To date, assessment of cortisol in saliva is a widely accepted and frequently employed method in psychoneuroendocrinology. Due to several advantages over blood cortisol analyses (e.g., stress-free sampling, laboratory independence, lower costs) saliva cortisol assessment can be the method of choice in basic research and clinical environments. The determination of cortisol in saliva can facilitate stress studies including newborns and infants and replace blood sampling for diagnostic endocrine tests like the dexamethasone suppression test. The present paper provides an up-to-date overview of recent methodological developments, novel applications as well as a discussion of possible future applications of salivary cortisol determination.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Extrapituitary effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Besides their regulation of the pituitary-adrenal and pituitary-thyroidal axis, respectively, the neurohormones CRH and TRH act within the central nervous system to evoke and modulate a number of behavioral and physiological processes. In particular, an increase in the sympathetic nervous system and respiratory activity has been observed. The data communicated in this review article emphasize the role of these neurohormones with regard to the neuroendocrine regulation of the autonomic nervous system, sleep and cognitive performance. Moreover, a possible therapeutic role is suggested by the beneficial effects in patients at risk of hypoventilation-associated disorders.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The 'Trier Social Stress Test'--a tool for investigating psychobiological stress responses in a laboratory setting.

This paper describes a protocol for induction of moderate psychological stress in a laboratory setting and evaluates its effects on physiological responses. The 'Trier Social Stress Test' (TSST) mainly consists of an anticipation period (10 min) and a test period (10 min) in which the subjects have to deliver a free speech and perform mental arithmetic in front of an audience. In six independent studies this protocol has been found to induce considerable changes in the concentration of ACTH, cortisol (serum and saliva), GH, prolactin as well as significant increases in heart rate. As for salivary cortisol levels, the TSST reliably led to 2- to 4-fold elevations above baseline with similar peak cortisol concentrations. Studies are summarized in which TSST-induced cortisol increases elucidated some of the multiple variables contributing to the interindividual variation in adrenocortical stress responses. The results suggest that gender, genetics and nicotine consumption can influence the individual's stress responsiveness to psychological stress while personality traits showed no correlation with cortisol responses to TSST stimulation. From these data we conclude that the TSST can serve as a tool for psychobiological research.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1993

Endocrine correlates of stress vulnerability.

Psychological stress is implicated as one element in a constellation of risk factors for the development and maintenance of psychosomatic disease. Endocrine responses to stressful experience vary widely among individuals, and may account for some of the individual variability in vulnerability to development of psychosomatic symptoms under stress. Endocrine stress responsiveness probably has a large genetic component, but is also known to be modifiable by prolonged and/or profound stressful experience. Social and cognitive factors influence the pituitary-adrenal response to stress, and sex differences may also be significant. It may be possible to develop specific tests of endocrine responsiveness, perhaps incorporating psychological and pharmacological challenges, that may serve as markers of chronic stress experience or of vulnerability to psychosomatic disorders.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1992

Heritability of cortisol responses to human corticotropin-releasing hormone, ergometry, and psychological stress in humans.

The present study investigated cortisol responses to three different stimulation procedures, with a focus on the contribution of genetic factors. Thirteen monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and 11 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs performed bicycle ergometry until exhaustion and were exposed to the psychological stress of public speaking and mental arithmetic in front of an audience. Furthermore, 9 MZ pairs and 10 DZ pairs were injected with 100 micrograms synthetic human CRH (hCRH). The adrenocortical response to these challenges was monitored by determination of cortisol in saliva. Significant intraindividual stability of baseline cortisol levels was found in females, but was less in males. Maximum cortisol responses to all three stimulation procedures were significantly intercorrelated in males, but in females only the cortisol responses to hCRH and ergometer exercise showed a significant correlation. While a decided influence of genetic factors was observed for all three baseline cortisol levels as well as for the response to hCRH, heredity appeared to be play a minor role in the adrenocortical response to psychological stress. Cortisol changes after bicycle ergometry revealed no impact of genetic factors on the secretion of cortisol in response to strenuous physical exercise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Postpartum blues: salivary cortisol and psychological factors.

The relationships between several psychological variables and salivary cortisol levels were investigated in 70 young mothers throughout the first five days following the delivery of a healthy baby. We hypothesized that postpartum blues is associated with ineffective coping strategies, high anxiety levels, and elevated salivary cortisol concentrations. Data analysis revealed that symptoms of postpartum blues occurred more frequently in women who reported high levels of trait-anxiety, passive coping strategies, marital dissatisfaction, or acceptance of their role as a mother. These women had elevated morning levels of cortisol on those days on which the symptoms appeared in contrast to those days without symptoms as well as in contrast to those women who did not experience postpartum blues.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Cortisol and behavior: 2. Application of a latent state-trait model to salivary cortisol.

In two studies we applied a new stochastic model for the measurement of latent states and traits to salivary cortisol in healthy subjects. Data were analyzed by Linear Structural Relations (LISREL). In the first study, 48 students collected saliva samples on two occasions at 1300h with an interval of six weeks between occasions. Salivary cortisol levels were found to be mainly influenced by situational and/or interactional effects, which determined approximately 75% of the total variance of the hormone data, while only approximately 21% were determined by the latent trait. Measurement unreliability was found to be approximately 4%. In the second study, 54 young mothers collected saliva at 0800h, 1500h, and 2000h for three consecutive days, starting on the second day after delivery of a healthy baby. Early morning salivary cortisol showed high consistency across the three days. Approximately 60% of the total variance in the early morning cortisol samples was determined by the latent trait. For the 1500h and 2000h samples, however, the corresponding proportions of variances amounted only to 33% and 28%, respectively. These results appear to reflect the absence of a clear-cut circadian rhythm in some of the women on the second day after delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cortisol and behavior: 1. Adaptation of a radioimmunoassay kit for reliable and inexpensive salivary cortisol determination.

We adapted a commercial serum cortisol radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit for use with saliva specimen. Using 50 microliters sample volume, the lower sensitivity was found to be 0.02 microgram/dl with intraassay variation coefficients between 5.4 and 8.9% at different concentrations. The 50% intercept was either 0.5 or 0.26 microgram/dl (50 or 100 microliters standard/sample volume). Fifty-four early morning samples from healthy adults showed absolute concentrations which are closely comparable to respective data from other laboratories. A comparison of 35 saliva samples which were each assayed with the adapted RIA as well as with three other commercial kits revealed high correlations between these assays (r = .94 to r = .97). Data on salivary cortisol responses to CRH stimulation and dexamethasone suppression in healthy subjects further the validity of the assay results. The most important contribution of this assay modification, however, is thought to be its impact on analysis costs: The protocol presented in this paper allows for reliable salivary cortisol measures with a reduction of costs for analytical material to 25% compared to serum determinations.

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone↗
PubMed1989

Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal manipulations and stress ulcerations in rats.

Both gastric ulceration and activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis are considered integral to the stress response, and a causal relationship between the two has been suggested. In the present study, corticosterone secretion in rats was either stimulated with CRF or lowered with metyrapone during a known ulcerogenic stress. Reduction of circulating corticosterone during the stress had no effect on ulceration severity compared to saline-treated stressed control rats. Treatment with CRF in stressed animals reduced ulceration severity. The mechanism of this protective effect remains unclear. The findings do not support a simple causal relationship between adrenocortical activity and gastric ulceration.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of l-tryptophan and various diets on behavioral functions in essential hypertensives.

The effects of tryptophan in combination with two different diets (high-carbohydrate and high-protein diet) on behavioral parameters such as mood, sleep and performance were chronically studied in a group of 34 hypertensive patients undergoing a trial of testing the antihypertensive properties of l-tryptophan. While no major changes in mood were observed, there was a tendency for sleep latency to decrease and sleep duration to increase following tryptophan intake in the intragroup analysis. The administration of tryptophan caused a significant improvement on performance in a concentration task. No significant dietary effects were observed either in combination with tryptophan or in the placebo group. These data again demonstrate behavioral relevance of the precursor amino acid l-tryptophan and suggest a long-term improvement in partial aspects of performance behavior.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Salivary cortisol in psychobiological research: an overview.

The measurement of cortisol in saliva provides the basic scientist as well as the clinician with a reliable tool for investigations of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Since saliva samples can be obtained stress-free and independent from medically trained personnel this method may be well suited for use in psychobiological studies. This overview intends to give a comprehensive introduction to the method of salivary cortisol assessment and to briefly discuss its application in different scientific disciplines.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Psychobiological profiles in infertile men.

To investigate the psychosomatic impact in male infertility, we analysed relationships among psychological (life events, personality attitudes) and biological (gonadotrophins, sex steroids, seminal parameters) variables in 101 husbands of barren couples. In patients with subnormal fertility parameters, personality attitudes were not different from those of a reference group of the questionnaire (FAPK) used in this study. However, patients with high scores on test scales such as regression, hypochondria, or emotional vacuity showed better fertility characteristics. These results agree with previously reported data, suggesting that social assertiveness and extraversion but not introversion and depression are associated with male infertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Changes in saliva testosterone after psychological stimulation in men.

Saliva testosterone (ST) concentration was measured in 20 young adult and healthy men before, during and after the presentation of five different films. The films were selected to provoke erotic, sexual, aggressive, stressful and neutral stimulation, respectively. An increase in ST was found 15 min after the onset of both the erotic and the sexual stimulation, while a decline of ST levels was observed during the stressful movie showing dental surgery. No changes were found for either the neutral or the aggressive stimulant. Furthermore, no differences were found between ST levels before and after the showing of any of the films. Thus, saliva testosterone responds quickly to psychological stimulation, and may provide a practical alternative to testosterone measurements in serum under psychological test situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Learned helplessness: effects on brain monoamines and the pituitary-gonadal axis.

The effect of the learned helplessness paradigm, a model of depression, on biogenic amines in eight brain regions, and on the serum levels of luteinizing hormone, corticosterone, and testosterone in male rats was determined. Rats which were exposed to uncontrollable and unpredictable shocks (HY-rats) had hormone levels similar to those in appropriate control animals. However, HY-rats had higher levels of 5-HIAA in the pons/medulla oblongata and lower levels of 5-HT in the cortex than rats which could escape the shocks (HE-rats). Furthermore, striatal levels of NE were higher in HY-rats when compared to HE-rats and non-shocked controls (HC-rats). Shock treatment per se resulted in lower NE levels in the hippocampus. These data implicate the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems as possible mediators of the learned helplessness phenomenon, but do not support the view that this behavior is associated with impaired pituitary-gonadal function.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1984

Activity-wheel stress: effects on brain monoamines and the pituitary-gonadal axis.

The study was designed to study the possible role of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in pituitary gonadal function following activity stress. 3 groups of rats were caged individually. 1 group of rats (AW) was fed for 1 h each day and had free access to a running wheel. The 2nd group (FC) had no access to a running wheel and received exactly the same amount of food as animals of the AW group. The 3rd group (UC) had 24-hour access to food. AW rats showed a gradual increase in running activity which accompanied a gradual decrease in food consumption. AW rats were sacrificed, together with their matched FC counterpart and a UC control rat, on the day that their food consumption fell below 4 g/day. The brains were dissected into nine specific areas and subjected to analysis for dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Trunk blood was analyzed for serum levels of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and corticosterone (C), and weights of tests and epididymides were recorded. Both activity stress and restricted food intake resulted in a fall in serum levels of T and LH. Elevated levels were found for DOPAC in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, brainstem, and midbrain of activity-stressed rats. Levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA were lower in the hypothalamus of these animals. Data analysis suggests a dopaminergic and serotonergic involvement in pituitary-gonadal function under activity-stress conditions.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1984

Activity wheel stress: changes in brain norepinephrine turnover and the occurrence of gastric lesions.

The effects of activity wheel stress on brain regional norepinephrine (NE) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) content and on the occurrence of gastric lesions were investigated. Multiple gastric lesions were present in the stomachs of all rats exposed to activity wheel stress (AW). No gastric lesions were observed in any of the food consumption (FC) or untreated (UC) control rats. In AW rats, NE levels were significantly different (p less than 0.05) from UC and/or FC rats in the hypothalamus (-25%), striatum (+120%), and hippocampus (-25%). MHPG levels in AW rats were significantly (p less than 0.05) elevated in the hypothalamus (130%), thalamus (95%), neocortex (80%), midbrain (160%), pons medulla (30%), and cerebellum (100%), indicating increased NE turnover in these brain regions. The data are discussed in terms of a possible role for brain NE in the mediation of activity stress-induced gastric lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Serotonergic changes in specific areas of rat brain associated with activity--stress gastric lesions.

To study serotonergic involvement in the development of gastric lesions following activity wheel stress, three groups of rats (gastric lesions, no gastric lesions, and home--cage controls) were killed following exposure to the experimental procedures. The brains were dissected into eight specific areas and subjected to analyses for serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) using high performance liquid chromatography with EC detection. Lower levels of 5-HT were found in the midbrain, cortex, and hippocampus of rats with gastric lesions compared to either the no lesion group, subjected to shorter periods of activity--stress, or the home--cage control group. Levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA were elevated in the pons/medulla oblongata of both the lesion and the no lesion groups compared to the home--cage controls. Corticosterone levels in blood were also significantly elevated in the lesion group. These data on serotonin changes in the CNS suggest a possible role for this neurotransmitter in stress-induced gastric pathology.

Animals↗