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Cited by 153Stress Responses and CortisolPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchAdrenal Hormones and Disorders

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HPA- and HPT-axis alterations in chronic posttraumatic stress disorder

Olff, Miranda, Güzelcan, Yener, de Vries, Giel-Jan, Assies, Johanna, Gersons, Berthold P.R.·2006·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.09.003
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Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as well as of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Findings have not been consistent and may depend on methodological issues like controlling for relevant variables. This study examines the levels of six HPA and HPT-axis related hormones in civilian PTSD patients without psychotropic medication. In a cross sectional study, 39 chronic PTSD patients and 44 healthy volunteers were included. Psychometric instruments included SCID, SI-PTSD, IES-R and BDI. The plasma hormones levels assessed were cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), prolactin, thyrotropin (TSH), and free thyroxin (fT4). Results showed that patients had significantly lower plasma cortisol, prolactin and TSH levels compared to the comparison group. The difference between TSH levels in patients and comparison subjects only emerged after controlling for relevant background variables. Furthermore, the severity of PTSD symptoms was negatively related to cortisol levels. Secondary analyses revealed no statistically significant effect of comorbid depression (26% of patients) on any of the hormone levels. Complex feedback mechanisms are likely to result in altered levels of stress related hormones in PTSD, and results depend on controlling for relevant variables. Further research with longitudinal designs is needed to find out whether these lower hormone levels are preexisting risk factors or consequence of trauma and whether these alterations are deleterious or adaptive.

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Metadata

Authors
Olff, M., Güzelcan, Y., de Vries, G.-J., Assies, J., & Gersons, B. P. R.
Affiliations
Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam (NL)
Corresponding author
Olff, Miranda
ORCID
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-11
Volume
31
Issue
10
Pages
1220-1230
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.09.003
OpenAlex
W2115742753
Cited by
153
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 9
FWCI
4.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic PTSD, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, comorbid depression, plasma hormone levels
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Chronic Disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Middle Aged, Pituitary-Adrenal Function Tests, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Thyroid Function Tests, Thyroid Gland, Thyrotropin, Thyroxine

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