1. Overall cortisol, diurnal slope, and stress reactivity in psychosis: An experience sampling approach
- Author
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Johan Lataster, Dennis Hernaus, Zuzana Kasanova, Dina Collip, Martine van Nierop, Thomas Vaessen, Inez Myin-Germeys, RS: MHeNs - R2 - Mental Health, Psychiatrie & Neuropsychologie, Promovendi MHN, Section Lifespan Psychology, and RS-Research Line Lifespan psychology (part of IIESB program)
- Subjects
Male ,SALIVARY CORTISOL ,Saliva ,Hydrocortisone ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Psychotic disorder ,Pituitary-Adrenal System ,Physiology ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,Endocrinology ,Antipsychotics ,EMOTIONAL REACTIVITY ,SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS ,BIPOLAR DISORDER ,UNAFFECTED SIBLINGS ,Circadian Rhythm ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Schizophrenia ,Female ,METABOLIC STRESS ,Stress reactivity ,hormones, hormone substitutes, and hormone antagonists ,Antipsychotic Agents ,Adult ,Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ,Experience sampling method ,Psychosis ,DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE-SULFATE ,03 medical and health sciences ,Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ,AWAKENING RESPONSE ,medicine ,Humans ,1ST-EPISODE PSYCHOSIS ,Bipolar disorder ,Familial risk ,Antipsychotic ,Biological Psychiatry ,Endocrine and Autonomic Systems ,business.industry ,HPA axis ,Ambulatory assessment ,medicine.disease ,DAILY-LIFE STRESS ,030227 psychiatry ,Psychotic Disorders ,chemistry ,business ,Stress, Psychological ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Objective Results from experimental studies suggest that psychosis and psychosis liability are associated with increased cortisol levels and blunted cortisol reactivity, and that use of antipsychotics may reduce these aberrations. Here, we report on overall cortisol, diurnal slope, and cortisol stress reactivity in everyday life in psychosis and psychosis liability using the experience sampling method (ESM). Methods Our sample consisted of individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorder currently on (MPD; n = 53) or off antipsychotic medication (NMPD; n = 20), first-degree relatives of psychotic patients (REL; n = 47), and healthy volunteers (HV; n = 67). Saliva samples were collected throughout the day on six consecutive days and analyzed for cortisol levels. Simultaneously, stressfulness of the current activity was assessed with ESM questionnaires. Results We found no group differences in overall cortisol level between groups, but REL had a steeper diurnal slope than HV; in MPD a trend was found in the same direction. Regarding reactivity to stressful activities, results indicated attenuation of the cortisol response in both patient groups compared to HV. Conclusion These results do not confirm reports of increased cortisol levels in psychosis, but provide evidence of stress-related cortisol alterations in everyday life.
- Published
- 2018