OBJECTIVE: In chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lowered cortisol secretion and hypersuppression to dexamethasone has been described repeatedly. However, so far no longitudinal data on the natural course or on the effect of therapy are available. METHOD: We measured basal and post-dexamethasone morning salivary cortisol in a drug-free patient with chronic PTSD (DSM-IV) monthly for nearly 2 years and assessed PTSD and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Salivary cortisol decreased dramatically 3 months after the traumatic event and in the further course showed an inverse relation to fluctuating but gradually improving PTSD symptoms. Post-dexa-methasone cortisol was suppressed below the detection limit early after trauma and rose again more than 1 year post-trauma. CONCLUSION: Both the potential renormalization of low cortisol levels in improving chronic PTSD and the putative vulnerability to develop PTSD in subjects with increased dexamethasone suppression need further research.
OBJECTIVE: In chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lowered cortisol secretion and hypersuppression to dexamethasone has been described repeatedly. However, so far no longitudinal data on the natural course or on the effect of therapy are available. METHOD: We measured basal and post-dexamethasone morning salivary cortisol in a drug-free patient with chronic PTSD (DSM-IV) monthly for nearly 2 years and assessed PTSD and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Salivary cortisol decreased dramatically 3 months after the traumatic event and in the further course showed an inverse relation to fluctuating but gradually improving PTSD symptoms. Post-dexa-methasonecortisol was suppressed below the detection limit early after trauma and rose again more than 1 year post-trauma. CONCLUSION: Both the potential renormalization of low cortisol levels in improving chronic PTSD and the putative vulnerability to develop PTSD in subjects with increased dexamethasone suppression need further research.
Authors: Katja Wingenfeld; Mary A Whooley; Thomas C Neylan; Christian Otte; Beth E Cohen Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2014-11-05 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Mark L Laudenslager; Carolyn Noonan; Clemma Jacobsen; Jack Goldberg; Dedra Buchwald; J Douglas Bremner; Viola Vaccarino; Spero M Manson Journal: Brain Behav Immun Date: 2008-12-25 Impact factor: 7.217
Authors: Sabra S Inslicht; Andrea N Niles; Thomas J Metzler; Sa'ar L Lipshitz; Christian Otte; Mohammed R Milad; Scott P Orr; Charles R Marmar; Thomas C Neylan Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2021-11-19 Impact factor: 8.294