The Experts below are selected from a list of 3198 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Tobias Stalder - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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assessment of the Cortisol Awakening Response summary of the ispne expert consensus guidelines
2016Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Clemens Kirschbaum, Samantha Dockray, Stefan Wust, Jens C Pruessner, Brigitte M Kudielka, Emma K Adam, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Dirk H HellhammerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), the marked increase in Cortisol secretion over the first 30–45 min after morning Awakening, has been related to a wide range of psychosocial, physical and mental health parameters, making it a key variable for psychoneuroendocrinological research. The CAR is typically assessed from self-collection of saliva samples within the domestic setting. While this confers ecological validity, it lacks direct researcher oversight which can be problematic as the validity of CAR measurement critically relies on participants closely following a timed sampling schedule, beginning with the moment of Awakening. Researchers assessing the CAR thus need to take important steps to maximize and monitor saliva sampling accuracy as well as consider a range of other relevant methodological factors. To promote best practice of future research in this field, the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology initiated an expert panel charged with (i) summarizing relevant evidence and collective experience on methodological factors affecting CAR assessment and (ii) formulating clear consensus guidelines for future research. This presentation will give a summary of the main results of this undertaking. Consensus guidelines are presented on central aspects of CAR assessment, including objective control of sampling accuracy/adherence, participant instructions, covariate accounting, sampling protocols, quantification strategies as well as reporting and interpreting of CAR data. Meeting these methodological standards in future research will create more powerful research designs, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance understanding in this evolving field of research.
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assessment of the Cortisol Awakening Response expert consensus guidelines
2016Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Clemens Kirschbaum, Samantha Dockray, Stefan Wust, Jens C Pruessner, Brigitte M Kudielka, Emma K Adam, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Dirk H HellhammerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), the marked increase in Cortisol secretion over the first 30–45 min after morning Awakening, has been related to a wide range of psychosocial, physical and mental health parameters, making it a key variable for psychoneuroendocrinological research. The CAR is typically assessed from self-collection of saliva samples within the domestic setting. While this confers ecological validity, it lacks direct researcher oversight which can be problematic as the validity of CAR measurement critically relies on participants closely following a timed sampling schedule, beginning with the moment of Awakening. Researchers assessing the CAR thus need to take important steps to maximize and monitor saliva sampling accuracy as well as consider a range of other relevant methodological factors. To promote best practice of future research in this field, the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology initiated an expert panel charged with (i) summarizing relevant evidence and collective experience on methodological factors affecting CAR assessment and (ii) formulating clear consensus guidelines for future research. The present report summarizes the results of this undertaking. Consensus guidelines are presented on central aspects of CAR assessment, including objective control of sampling accuracy/adherence, participant instructions, covariate accounting, sampling protocols, quantification strategies as well as reporting and interpreting of CAR data. Meeting these methodological standards in future research will create more powerful research designs, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance understanding in this evolving field of research.
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the relation of the Cortisol Awakening Response and prospective memory functioning in young children
2014Co-Authors: Damaris Baumler, Clemens Kirschbaum, Tobias Stalder, Babett Voigt, Robert Miller, Matthias KliegelAbstract:a b s t r a c t Recent research suggests that the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is linked to cognitive functions depending on hippocampal and frontal cortex circuits and may possibly be modulated by prospective memory (PM). However, the link between the CAR and PM abilities has not been investigated so far. Addressing this open issue, we report data from 97 children aged 37-87 months. Salivary Cortisol levels were assessed 0 and 30 min post-Awakening over three study days. Thereby a valid CAR measurement was ensured by using objective measures of Awakening and sampling times. A game-like task served as behavioral measure of PM performance. Bayesian analysis revealed a positive association between children's PM performance and the CAR, with better PM performance being related to a greater CAR. This association persisted after controlling for age. Overall, the current finding supports the prediction that PM functioning may be linked to the CAR, possibly as both the CAR and PM rely on a common neurophysiological basis.
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the Cortisol Awakening Response in toddlers and young children
2013Co-Authors: Damaris Baumler, Clemens Kirschbaum, Matthias Kliegel, Nina Alexander, Tobias StalderAbstract:Summary The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is frequently assessed in psychoneuroendocrinological research on adult participants. However, knowledge on the development of the CAR during early life is scarce and characterized by inconsistent findings. We have recently shown that a positive CAR is readily observable in young infants under conditions of strict methodological control. However, it still remains unknown whether a significant CAR is maintained consistently throughout toddler- and childhood. Here, we report data from 150 toddlers and young children aged 12–87 months in whom salivary Cortisol levels were assessed 0 and 30 min post-Awakening over three non-consecutive study days. High quality of data was ensured by the use of objective measures to verify children's Awakening times (wrist actigraphy) and sampling times (electronic monitoring containers). Results revealed the presence of a significant CAR (>1.5 nmol/L) in 142 (out of 150) children and on a total of 82% of study days. A marked CAR was consistently observed throughout all examined age groups (mean increase: 8.73 nmol/L). In addition, the level of Cortisol on Awakening was found to increase linearly with children's age ( r = .17, p = .04). Overall, the current findings strongly suggest that, contrary to previous propositions, the CAR is maintained consistently throughout toddler- and childhood.
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the Cortisol Awakening Response in infants ontogeny and associations with development related variables
2013Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Damaris Baumler, Matthias Kliegel, Nina Alexander, Robert Miller, Clemens KirschbaumAbstract:Summary The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is a frequently used measure in psychoneuroendocrinological research, however, some of its more fundamental aspects still require attention. An important question in this respect concerns the ontogeny of the CAR. Data from two recent reports suggest that the CAR may only emerge relatively late during child development (≥16 months of age). However, as both enquiries did not use objective means of verifying participant adherence or infants’ Awakening times, it is unclear whether methodological factors may have contributed to these results. Here, we report data from a study on 33 infants aged 2–12 months with close care being taken to ensure the accuracy of sampling times by using wrist actigraphy and electronic monitoring containers. Salivary Cortisol levels were assessed at 0 and 30 min post-Awakening over three study days. Results revealed evidence for a significant CAR (≥2.5 nmol/L) in 32 (out of 33) infants and on a total 86.9% of study days, with a marked magnitude of the CAR across infants (mean estimated increase = 12.54 nmol/L). In addition, the Cortisol level on Awakening and the CAR were found to be associated with different aspects of infant's physical and sleep-related development as well as with their weight and body mass index (BMI) at birth. Contrary to previous reports, the current results thus indicate that the ontogeny of the CAR occurs at an early stage of development and that it is present from as early as two months of life. The data also suggest that post-Awakening Cortisol secretion may undergo considerable changes during the first year of life associated with different aspects of infant development.
Angela Clow - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the Cortisol Awakening Response predicts Response inhibition in the afternoon of the same day
2018Co-Authors: Xia Shi, Xiaofang Sun, Zhuxi Yao, Yiran Yuan, Angela ClowAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is the rapid increase of Cortisol levels 30–45 minutes after Awakening in the morning. Numerous studies have indicated the relationship between the CAR and cognition. However, little is known about daily variation in the CAR and cognitive function in healthy adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the CAR predicted the Response inhibition function on the same day in both behaviour and the dynamic time course of brain processing. The saliva samples of 47 healthy men were collected at three time points: immediately on Awakening, 30 minutes and 45 minutes post-Awakening in the morning. Participants performed a Go/NoGo task while electroencephalograms (EEG) were recorded in the afternoon of the same day. The results showed that a greater CAR was associated with a stronger N2. In the sub-group of CAR responders (n = 33) the CAR was negatively related to the false alarm rate of NoGo-trials. Our findings suggested that the CAR was predictive of the function of Response inhibition in both the earlier cognitive step (i.e., conflict monitoring) and the behavioural performance of Response inhibition on the same day in healthy men.
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day differences in the Cortisol Awakening Response predict day differences in synaptic plasticity in the brain
2014Co-Authors: Angela Clow, Robin Law, Phil Evans, Annmaree Vallence, Nicolette A Hodyl, Mitchell R Goldsworthy, J Rothwell, Michael C RiddingAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is the most prominent, dynamic and variable part of the circadian pattern of Cortisol secretion. Despite this, its precise purpose is unknown. Aberrant patterns of the CAR are associated with impaired physical and mental health and reduced cognitive function, suggesting that it may have a pervasive role or roles. It has been suggested that the CAR primes the brain for the expected demands of the day but the mechanisms underlying this process are unknown. We examined temporal covariation of the CAR and rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)-induced long term depression (LTD)-like Responses in the motor cortex. Plasticity was evaluated across 180 measures from five time points on four sessions across nine healthy researcher participants, mean age 25 ± 2.5 years. Plasticity estimates were obtained in the afternoon after measurement of the CAR on 4 days, at least 3 days apart. As both CAR magnitude and rTMS-induced Responses are variable across days, we hypothesized that days with larger than individual average CARs would be associated with a greater than individual average plasticity Response. This was confirmed by mixed regression modelling where variation in the CAR predicted variation in rTMS-induced Responses (df: 1, 148.24; F: 10.41; p = 0.002). As the magnitude of the CAR is regulated by the "master" circadian CLOCK, and synaptic plasticity is known to be modulated by peripheral "slave" CLOCK genes, we suggest that the CAR may be a mediator between the master and peripheral circadian systems to entrain daily levels of synaptic plasticity.
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state variation in the Cortisol Awakening Response
2013Co-Authors: Robin Law, Lisa Thorn, Frank Hucklebridge, Philip D Evans, Angela ClowAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is a much studied but poorly understood aspect of the circadian pattern of Cortisol secretion. A Scopus search of "Cortisol" and "Awakening" reveals 666 publications in this area since 1997 when it was first identified by Pruessner and colleagues as a "reliable biomarker of adrenocortical activity". The primary focus of the majority of these studies is centered on its utility as a biomarker associated with a range of psychosocial, physical and mental health variables. Such studies typically examine differences in the CAR (studied on 1 or 2 days) between healthy participants and other comparator groups of interest. Fewer studies (25 in our estimation) have examined correlates of day-to-day variation in the CAR in healthy participants, informing its role and regulation within the healthy circadian pattern of Cortisol secretion. This is the first review to examine these studies which, although limited in number, offer a relatively coherent emerging story about state factors that influence the CAR and the impact of the CAR on daily functioning. Greater understanding of these issues helps illuminate the utility of the CAR as a promising biomarker in psychophysiological and epidemiological research. The review also highlights areas that require greater clarification and points to potentially fruitful areas of further research.
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the Cortisol Awakening Response is related to executive function in older age
2012Co-Authors: Phil Evans, Frank Hucklebridge, Catherine Loveday, Angela ClowAbstract:Abstract Changes in the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) have been reportedly associated with older age and may reflect changes in cognitive performance. However methodological issues around adherence, in regard to careful timing of the CAR, suggest caution in drawing firm conclusions. More investigation is also needed regarding which cognitive domains may be most relevant. Executive Function (EF) is linked strongly to functioning of the frontal cortex, itself linked to Cortisol secretion via regulation of the Hypothalamic Adrenocortical Axis. In this study, Cortisol profiles, cognitive performance and adherence were carefully assessed in a sample of 50 older participants, aged 60–91 years (mean = 74 years). Key aspects of EF were assessed using Form B of the standard Trail-making Test controlling for time taken to complete the simpler Trail-A form of the test. Strong associations between CAR profiles and EF were evident. Cortisol measures significantly predictive of superior EF-related performance in a regression analysis were: earlier peaking and greater magnitude of the CAR. Together these measures explained fully a quarter of all the variance in test performance (R 2 = 0.25; F = 7.90; df = 2,47; p
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associations between the Cortisol Awakening Response and heart rate variability
2011Co-Authors: Philip D Evans, Frank Hucklebridge, Tobias Stalder, Angela ClowAbstract:The process of morning Awakening is associated with a marked increase in Cortisol secretion, the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), as well as with a burst in cardiovascular (CV) activation. Whilst the CAR is largely driven by Awakening-induced activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, it is fine-tuned by direct sympathetic input to the adrenal gland. In parallel, Awakening-induced activation of the CV system is associated with a shift towards dominance of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Moreover, the CAR, in common with trait-like heart rate variability (HRV), is widely reported to be associated with psychosocial variables and health outcomes. These commonalities led us to examine associations between the CAR and both concurrent Awakening-induced changes and trait-like estimates in cardiovascular activity (heart rate (HR) and HRV). Self-report measures of difficulties in emotion regulation and chronic stress were also obtained. Forty-three healthy participants (mean age: 23 years) were examined on two consecutive weekdays. On both days, heart interbeat interval (IBI) data was obtained from sedentary laboratory recordings as well as from recordings over the peri-Awakening period. Salivary free Cortisol concentrations were determined on Awakening and 15, 30, and 45min post-Awakening on both study days. Data from a minimum of 36 participants were available for individual analyses. Results revealed significant Awakening-induced changes in Cortisol, HR and HRV measures; however, no associations were found between the simultaneous post-Awakening changes of these variables. Similarly, Awakening-induced changes in Cortisol, HR and HRV measures were not significantly associated with perceived stress or measures of emotion regulation. However, the CAR was found to be significantly positively correlated with steady state measures of HR and negatively correlated with steady state measures of HRV, as determined during the laboratory sessions and the peri-Awakening periods. This cross-sectional study indicates that, despite consistent associations between the CAR and indices of trait-like cardiovascular activity, the CAR is not related to concurrent changes of cardiac autonomic activation following Awakening.
Clemens Kirschbaum - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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assessment of the Cortisol Awakening Response summary of the ispne expert consensus guidelines
2016Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Clemens Kirschbaum, Samantha Dockray, Stefan Wust, Jens C Pruessner, Brigitte M Kudielka, Emma K Adam, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Dirk H HellhammerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), the marked increase in Cortisol secretion over the first 30–45 min after morning Awakening, has been related to a wide range of psychosocial, physical and mental health parameters, making it a key variable for psychoneuroendocrinological research. The CAR is typically assessed from self-collection of saliva samples within the domestic setting. While this confers ecological validity, it lacks direct researcher oversight which can be problematic as the validity of CAR measurement critically relies on participants closely following a timed sampling schedule, beginning with the moment of Awakening. Researchers assessing the CAR thus need to take important steps to maximize and monitor saliva sampling accuracy as well as consider a range of other relevant methodological factors. To promote best practice of future research in this field, the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology initiated an expert panel charged with (i) summarizing relevant evidence and collective experience on methodological factors affecting CAR assessment and (ii) formulating clear consensus guidelines for future research. This presentation will give a summary of the main results of this undertaking. Consensus guidelines are presented on central aspects of CAR assessment, including objective control of sampling accuracy/adherence, participant instructions, covariate accounting, sampling protocols, quantification strategies as well as reporting and interpreting of CAR data. Meeting these methodological standards in future research will create more powerful research designs, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance understanding in this evolving field of research.
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assessment of the Cortisol Awakening Response expert consensus guidelines
2016Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Clemens Kirschbaum, Samantha Dockray, Stefan Wust, Jens C Pruessner, Brigitte M Kudielka, Emma K Adam, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Dirk H HellhammerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), the marked increase in Cortisol secretion over the first 30–45 min after morning Awakening, has been related to a wide range of psychosocial, physical and mental health parameters, making it a key variable for psychoneuroendocrinological research. The CAR is typically assessed from self-collection of saliva samples within the domestic setting. While this confers ecological validity, it lacks direct researcher oversight which can be problematic as the validity of CAR measurement critically relies on participants closely following a timed sampling schedule, beginning with the moment of Awakening. Researchers assessing the CAR thus need to take important steps to maximize and monitor saliva sampling accuracy as well as consider a range of other relevant methodological factors. To promote best practice of future research in this field, the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology initiated an expert panel charged with (i) summarizing relevant evidence and collective experience on methodological factors affecting CAR assessment and (ii) formulating clear consensus guidelines for future research. The present report summarizes the results of this undertaking. Consensus guidelines are presented on central aspects of CAR assessment, including objective control of sampling accuracy/adherence, participant instructions, covariate accounting, sampling protocols, quantification strategies as well as reporting and interpreting of CAR data. Meeting these methodological standards in future research will create more powerful research designs, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance understanding in this evolving field of research.
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the relation of the Cortisol Awakening Response and prospective memory functioning in young children
2014Co-Authors: Damaris Baumler, Clemens Kirschbaum, Tobias Stalder, Babett Voigt, Robert Miller, Matthias KliegelAbstract:a b s t r a c t Recent research suggests that the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is linked to cognitive functions depending on hippocampal and frontal cortex circuits and may possibly be modulated by prospective memory (PM). However, the link between the CAR and PM abilities has not been investigated so far. Addressing this open issue, we report data from 97 children aged 37-87 months. Salivary Cortisol levels were assessed 0 and 30 min post-Awakening over three study days. Thereby a valid CAR measurement was ensured by using objective measures of Awakening and sampling times. A game-like task served as behavioral measure of PM performance. Bayesian analysis revealed a positive association between children's PM performance and the CAR, with better PM performance being related to a greater CAR. This association persisted after controlling for age. Overall, the current finding supports the prediction that PM functioning may be linked to the CAR, possibly as both the CAR and PM rely on a common neurophysiological basis.
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the Cortisol Awakening Response in toddlers and young children
2013Co-Authors: Damaris Baumler, Clemens Kirschbaum, Matthias Kliegel, Nina Alexander, Tobias StalderAbstract:Summary The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is frequently assessed in psychoneuroendocrinological research on adult participants. However, knowledge on the development of the CAR during early life is scarce and characterized by inconsistent findings. We have recently shown that a positive CAR is readily observable in young infants under conditions of strict methodological control. However, it still remains unknown whether a significant CAR is maintained consistently throughout toddler- and childhood. Here, we report data from 150 toddlers and young children aged 12–87 months in whom salivary Cortisol levels were assessed 0 and 30 min post-Awakening over three non-consecutive study days. High quality of data was ensured by the use of objective measures to verify children's Awakening times (wrist actigraphy) and sampling times (electronic monitoring containers). Results revealed the presence of a significant CAR (>1.5 nmol/L) in 142 (out of 150) children and on a total of 82% of study days. A marked CAR was consistently observed throughout all examined age groups (mean increase: 8.73 nmol/L). In addition, the level of Cortisol on Awakening was found to increase linearly with children's age ( r = .17, p = .04). Overall, the current findings strongly suggest that, contrary to previous propositions, the CAR is maintained consistently throughout toddler- and childhood.
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the Cortisol Awakening Response in infants ontogeny and associations with development related variables
2013Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Damaris Baumler, Matthias Kliegel, Nina Alexander, Robert Miller, Clemens KirschbaumAbstract:Summary The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is a frequently used measure in psychoneuroendocrinological research, however, some of its more fundamental aspects still require attention. An important question in this respect concerns the ontogeny of the CAR. Data from two recent reports suggest that the CAR may only emerge relatively late during child development (≥16 months of age). However, as both enquiries did not use objective means of verifying participant adherence or infants’ Awakening times, it is unclear whether methodological factors may have contributed to these results. Here, we report data from a study on 33 infants aged 2–12 months with close care being taken to ensure the accuracy of sampling times by using wrist actigraphy and electronic monitoring containers. Salivary Cortisol levels were assessed at 0 and 30 min post-Awakening over three study days. Results revealed evidence for a significant CAR (≥2.5 nmol/L) in 32 (out of 33) infants and on a total 86.9% of study days, with a marked magnitude of the CAR across infants (mean estimated increase = 12.54 nmol/L). In addition, the Cortisol level on Awakening and the CAR were found to be associated with different aspects of infant's physical and sleep-related development as well as with their weight and body mass index (BMI) at birth. Contrary to previous reports, the current results thus indicate that the ontogeny of the CAR occurs at an early stage of development and that it is present from as early as two months of life. The data also suggest that post-Awakening Cortisol secretion may undergo considerable changes during the first year of life associated with different aspects of infant development.
Jens C Pruessner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dance your stress away comparing the effect of dance movement training to aerobic exercise training on the Cortisol Awakening Response in healthy older adults
2019Co-Authors: Tudor Vrinceanu, Alida Esmail, Nicolas Berryman, David Predovan, Juan Manuel Villalpando, Jens C Pruessner, Louis BhererAbstract:This study aimed to examine in healthy older adults the effects of dance/movement training (DMT) on the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), a marker of chronic stress. Forty participants (mean age =...
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assessment of the Cortisol Awakening Response summary of the ispne expert consensus guidelines
2016Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Clemens Kirschbaum, Samantha Dockray, Stefan Wust, Jens C Pruessner, Brigitte M Kudielka, Emma K Adam, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Dirk H HellhammerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), the marked increase in Cortisol secretion over the first 30–45 min after morning Awakening, has been related to a wide range of psychosocial, physical and mental health parameters, making it a key variable for psychoneuroendocrinological research. The CAR is typically assessed from self-collection of saliva samples within the domestic setting. While this confers ecological validity, it lacks direct researcher oversight which can be problematic as the validity of CAR measurement critically relies on participants closely following a timed sampling schedule, beginning with the moment of Awakening. Researchers assessing the CAR thus need to take important steps to maximize and monitor saliva sampling accuracy as well as consider a range of other relevant methodological factors. To promote best practice of future research in this field, the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology initiated an expert panel charged with (i) summarizing relevant evidence and collective experience on methodological factors affecting CAR assessment and (ii) formulating clear consensus guidelines for future research. This presentation will give a summary of the main results of this undertaking. Consensus guidelines are presented on central aspects of CAR assessment, including objective control of sampling accuracy/adherence, participant instructions, covariate accounting, sampling protocols, quantification strategies as well as reporting and interpreting of CAR data. Meeting these methodological standards in future research will create more powerful research designs, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance understanding in this evolving field of research.
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assessment of the Cortisol Awakening Response expert consensus guidelines
2016Co-Authors: Tobias Stalder, Clemens Kirschbaum, Samantha Dockray, Stefan Wust, Jens C Pruessner, Brigitte M Kudielka, Emma K Adam, Nina Smyth, Phil Evans, Dirk H HellhammerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), the marked increase in Cortisol secretion over the first 30–45 min after morning Awakening, has been related to a wide range of psychosocial, physical and mental health parameters, making it a key variable for psychoneuroendocrinological research. The CAR is typically assessed from self-collection of saliva samples within the domestic setting. While this confers ecological validity, it lacks direct researcher oversight which can be problematic as the validity of CAR measurement critically relies on participants closely following a timed sampling schedule, beginning with the moment of Awakening. Researchers assessing the CAR thus need to take important steps to maximize and monitor saliva sampling accuracy as well as consider a range of other relevant methodological factors. To promote best practice of future research in this field, the International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology initiated an expert panel charged with (i) summarizing relevant evidence and collective experience on methodological factors affecting CAR assessment and (ii) formulating clear consensus guidelines for future research. The present report summarizes the results of this undertaking. Consensus guidelines are presented on central aspects of CAR assessment, including objective control of sampling accuracy/adherence, participant instructions, covariate accounting, sampling protocols, quantification strategies as well as reporting and interpreting of CAR data. Meeting these methodological standards in future research will create more powerful research designs, thus yielding more reliable and reproducible results and helping to further advance understanding in this evolving field of research.
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blunted Cortisol Awakening Response in men with first episode psychosis relationship to parental bonding
2013Co-Authors: Jens C Pruessner, Marita Pruessner, Nadia Vracotas, Ridha Joober, Ashok MallaAbstract:Summary Early life adversity has been associated with an increased risk for the development of mental health problems, including psychotic disorders, perhaps mediated by a changed regulation of the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis. Aim of the present study was to confirm our previous finding of an attenuated Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) in men with first episode psychosis (FEP) and to explore a possible link between a blunted CAR and early adversity as indicated by perceived parental bonding. Fifty-eight patients (38 men, 20 women; mean age 23.25 ± 3.86) with a FEP and 33 healthy community controls (16 men, 17 women; mean age 22.91 ± 3.64) participated in the study. Saliva samples for assessment of the CAR were collected immediately, 30 and 60 min after Awakening. Complete Cortisol samples were available in a reduced sample of 56 patients (37 men) and 30 controls (13 men). Parental bonding during the first 16 years of life was assessed retrospectively with the Parental Bonding Inventory. Results showed a significantly blunted CAR in male compared to female patients, confirming our previously reported findings. We also found a lower CAR in the total FEP group compared to controls, which failed to reach significance after controlling for time of Awakening. A significantly lower percentage of patients than controls reported optimal maternal parenting. Within the patient group, significantly fewer male than female patients reported optimal maternal and paternal parenting. Only in patients, unfavorable paternal parenting was related to a blunted CAR. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in male patients might be a consequence of non-optimal parenting and contribute to the less favorable course of psychosis in men compared to women.
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changes in the Cortisol Awakening Response car following participation in mindfulness based stress reduction in women who completed treatment for breast cancer
2011Co-Authors: Rose H Matousek, Jens C Pruessner, Patricia L DobkinAbstract:Abstract Background Changes in the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) were studied in women participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program after completion of their medical treatment for breast cancer. Method Thirty-three women completed questionnaires pre- and post-MBSR pertaining to: stress, depressive symptomatology, and medical symptoms. The CAR was assessed on 3 days pre- and 3 days post-MBSR as a biological marker of stress. Results A significant effect on the CAR was found, with Cortisol levels showing a prolonged increase after Awakening at the post-MBSR assessment period. This was accompanied by significant improvements in self-reported stress levels, depressive symptomatology, and medical symptoms. Furthermore, the change in medical symptoms was negatively correlated with the area under the curve (AUC) at study onset (r = −.52, p Conclusions These results suggest the potential usefulness of employing the CAR as a biological marker in women with breast cancer participating in an MBSR program.
Zoltan Sarnyai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Cortisol Awakening Response and acute stress reactivity in first nations people
2017Co-Authors: Maximus Berger, Anthony S Leicht, Angela Slatcher, Ann Katrin Kraeuter, Sarangan Ketheesan, Sarah Larkins, Zoltan SarnyaiAbstract:First Nations people globally have a higher incidence of mental disorders and non-communicable diseases. These health inequalities are partially attributed to a complex network of social and environmental factors which likely converge on chronic psychosocial stress. We hypothesized that alterations in stress processing and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis might underlie health disparities in First Nations people. We assessed the Cortisol Awakening Response and the dynamic Response to a laboratory induced psychosocial stress of young Indigenous tertiary students (n = 11, mean age 23.82 years) and non-Indigenous students (n = 11) matched for age and gender. Indigenous participants had a blunted Cortisol Awakening Response (27.40 (SD 35.00) vs. 95.24 (SD 55.23), p = 0.002), which was differentially associated with chronic experience of stress in Indigenous (r = −0.641, p = 0.046) and non-Indigenous (r = 0.652, p = 0.03) participants. The Cortisol Response to the laboratory induced psychosocial stress did not differ between groups. Self-reported racial discrimination was strongly associated with flattened Cortisol Response to stress (r = −0676, p = 0.022) and with heart rate variability (r = 0.654, p = 0.040). Our findings provide insight into potential biological factors underlying health discrepancies in ethnic minority groups.
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Cortisol Awakening Response in patients with psychosis systematic review and meta analysis
2016Co-Authors: Maximus Berger, Ann Katrin Kraeuter, Zoltan Sarnyai, Daria Romanik, Peter Malouf, Paul G AmmingerAbstract:The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), defined as the increase in Cortisol release in Response to waking up, shows associations with social and environmental risk factors of schizophrenia and has been studied as a potential biomarker in schizophrenia. We report a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies and 879 participants focusing on the CAR of patients with schizophrenia, first-episode psychosis, and at-risk mental states. Random-effects meta-analysis showed that CAR is attenuated in patients with psychosis compared to healthy controls (g=-0.426, 95% CI -0.585 to -0.267, p<0.001, 11 between-group comparisons, n=879). Subgroup analysis showed flattened CAR in patients with schizophrenia (g=-0.556, 95% CI -1.069 to -0.044, p<0.05, 2 between-group comparisons, n=114) and first-episode psychosis (g=-0.544, 95% CI -0.731 to -0.358, p<0.001, 6 between-group comparisons, n=505), but not in individuals with at-risk mental states. These distinctive alterations of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function may have important implications for CAR as a marker for transition risk. However, the lack of objective verification of sampling adherence in these studies may limit the interpretation of the results.
