Background
Preclinical research findings suggest that exposure to stress and concomitant hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal
(HPA) axis activation during early development can have permanent and potentially
deleterious effects. A history of early-life abuse or neglect appears to increase
risk for mood and anxiety disorders. Abnormal HPA response to stress challenge has
been reported in adult patients with major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress
disorder.
Methods
Plasma adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and cortisol reactivity to the Trier Social
Stress Test were examined in healthy adults (n = 50) without current psychopathology. Subjects with a self-reported history of moderate
to severe childhood maltreatment (MAL) (n = 23) as measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire were compared with subjects
without such a history (CTL) (n = 27).
Results
Compared with CTLs, MAL subjects exhibited significantly lower cortisol and ACTH baseline-to-peak
deltas. A significant group effect was seen in the (repeated measures) cortisol response
to the stress challenge, reflecting lower concentrations among MAL subjects. A significant
group × time effect characterized the relatively blunted ACTH response of the MAL
group. Emotional neglect (−.34, p = .02) and sexual abuse (.31, p = .03) strongly predicted maximal cortisol release.
Conclusions
In adults without diagnosable psychopathology, childhood maltreatment is associated
with diminished HPA axis response to a psychosocial stressor. Possible explanations
for the finding are discussed.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 28, 2007
Accepted:
May 2,
2007
Received in revised form:
April 25,
2007
Received:
November 30,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
