OBJECTIVE: The personality characteristics behavioural inhibition and neuroticism have been associated with mood and anxiety disorders and, in some studies, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. We recently reported that low levels of Novelty Seeking were associated with elevated plasma cortisol responses to the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test in healthy adults with no psychiatric disorder. The present study tested the association between temperament and HPA axis function in the same group of subjects using a standardized psychosocial neuroendocrine stress test. METHOD: Subjects completed diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, and the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). RESULTS: Novelty Seeking was inversely associated with plasma cortisol concentrations at baseline and throughout the TSST, but was not related to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. CONCLUSION: Results of this study extend our previous finding in the Dex/CRH test to a psychosocial stress test. Future investigations are needed to replicate these findings and further elucidate how temperament and personality are linked to HPA function.
OBJECTIVE: The personality characteristics behavioural inhibition and neuroticism have been associated with mood and anxiety disorders and, in some studies, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. We recently reported that low levels of Novelty Seeking were associated with elevated plasma cortisol responses to the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test in healthy adults with no psychiatric disorder. The present study tested the association between temperament and HPA axis function in the same group of subjects using a standardized psychosocial neuroendocrine stress test. METHOD: Subjects completed diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, and the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). RESULTS: Novelty Seeking was inversely associated with plasma cortisol concentrations at baseline and throughout the TSST, but was not related to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. CONCLUSION: Results of this study extend our previous finding in the Dex/CRH test to a psychosocial stress test. Future investigations are needed to replicate these findings and further elucidate how temperament and personality are linked to HPA function.
Authors: Audrey R Tyrka; Megan M Kelly; Julia A Graber; Laura DeRose; Janet K Lee; Michelle P Warren; Jeanne Brooks-Gunn Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2010-03-11 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Marcelo F Mello; Alvaro A Faria; Andrea F Mello; Linda L Carpenter; Audrey R Tyrka; Lawrence H Price Journal: Braz J Psychiatry Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 2.697
Authors: Audrey R Tyrka; Lauren M Wier; Lawrence H Price; Kobita Rikhye; Nicole S Ross; George M Anderson; Charles W Wilkinson; Linda L Carpenter Journal: Horm Behav Date: 2008-02-21 Impact factor: 3.587
Authors: Audrey R Tyrka; Lauren Wier; Lawrence H Price; Nicole Ross; George M Anderson; Charles W Wilkinson; Linda L Carpenter Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2008-03-12 Impact factor: 13.382