Chronic Stress in Cognitive Processes: Cortisol Dynamic Range of Secretion Is Associated with Perception of Unsafety Environment in a Venezuelan Population
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online June 22, 2021
Chronic Stress in Cognitive Processes: Cortisol Dynamic Range of Secretion Is Associated with Perception of Unsafety Environment in a Venezuelan Population
Understanding diurnal secretion of cortisol in association with behavioral attitudes as a result of perception of unsafety environment is a main interest in prospective studies establishing the impact of chronic stress in cognitive processes. Adaptive secretion of cortisol, a biomarker of the hypothalamic-hypophysis-adrenal (HPA) axis, has been correlated with perception of uncertainty in surroundings as a consequence of perseverative cognition and unconscious thoughts.
Objective:
To determine whether diurnal secretion pattern of cortisol was associated with behavioral attitudes indexes generated from answers to standardized questionnaires from Panamerican Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) agencies.
Methods:
Saliva cortisol dynamic range was evaluated by immuno-essay. Cortisol awakening response (CAR) and total secreted cortisol was established in a cross-sectional study of four saliva samples per day from volunteers (n = 135) between 19 and 65 years old.
Results:
Saliva cortisol dynamic range followed a significant decay along the day. Reduction of social interaction and increase of defensive behavioral attitude was associated with older groups of age. In this study, two subgroups of subjects with a steeper cortisol secretion (slope significant non-zero), and flatter cortisol secretion (slope no significant non-zero) were detected. Noticeable, we determined an association between measurements of cortisol secretion from subjects with a flatter cortisol dynamic range and behavioral defensive and inhibition of social interaction indexes.
Conclusion:
These findings suggested chronical dysregulation of HPA axis as a result of perseverative cognitive perception of unsafety environment which may be precedent to cognitive impairment in the population.
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