Alyssa S Mielock1, Matthew C Morris2, Uma Rao3. 1. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, USA. 2. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, USA; Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Meharry Medical College, USA; Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, USA. Electronic address: mmorris@mmc.edu. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, USA; Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University, USA; Center for Behavioral Health Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment can trigger enduring changes in major stress response systems, particularly in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relative impact of maltreatment versus MDD on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system stress reactivity is not well understood. METHOD: This study examined salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in 26 maltreated (15 with current MDD) and 26 non-maltreated (17 with current MDD) women. RESULTS: Maltreated women showed greater anticipatory cortisol reactivity during the TSST protocol compared to non-maltreated women. Maltreated women also showed rapid deceleration in cortisol levels. Whereas non-maltreated women showed initial declines in alpha-amylase levels but rapidly increasing alpha-amylase levels during the TSST protocol, maltreated women did not exhibit changes in alpha-amylase levels during the TSST protocol. Contrary to expectation, MDD did not impact cortisol or alpha-amylase responses. LIMITATIONS: The present study is limited by retrospective report of childhood maltreatment, cross-sectional design, and modest sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that childhood maltreatment plays a greater role driving alterations in cortisol and alpha-amylase stress reactivity than MDD. Understanding the biological embedding of maltreatment is critical for elucidating mechanisms linking these experiences to risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment can trigger enduring changes in major stress response systems, particularly in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the relative impact of maltreatment versus MDD on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary system stress reactivity is not well understood. METHOD: This study examined salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in 26 maltreated (15 with current MDD) and 26 non-maltreated (17 with current MDD) women. RESULTS: Maltreated women showed greater anticipatory cortisol reactivity during the TSST protocol compared to non-maltreated women. Maltreated women also showed rapid deceleration in cortisol levels. Whereas non-maltreated women showed initial declines in alpha-amylase levels but rapidly increasing alpha-amylase levels during the TSST protocol, maltreated women did not exhibit changes in alpha-amylase levels during the TSST protocol. Contrary to expectation, MDD did not impact cortisol or alpha-amylase responses. LIMITATIONS: The present study is limited by retrospective report of childhood maltreatment, cross-sectional design, and modest sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that childhood maltreatment plays a greater role driving alterations in cortisol and alpha-amylase stress reactivity than MDD. Understanding the biological embedding of maltreatment is critical for elucidating mechanisms linking these experiences to risk for negative mental and physical health outcomes.
Authors: Stefanie E Mayer; Melissa Peckins; Kate R Kuhlman; Nirmala Rajaram; Nestor L Lopez-Duran; Elizabeth A Young; James L Abelson Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2020-06-17 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Matthew C Morris; Brooklynn Bailey; Natalie Hellman; Amber Williams; Edward W Lannon; Matthew E Kutcher; Julie A Schumacher; Uma Rao Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2020-10-06 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Matthew C Morris; Francisco Sanchez-Sáez; Brooklynn Bailey; Natalie Hellman; Amber Williams; Julie A Schumacher; Uma Rao Journal: J Interpers Violence Date: 2020-11-30