TY  - JOUR
AB  - Body movements and posture provide valuable insights into stress responses, yet their relationship with endocrine biomarkers of the stress response remains underexplored. This study investigates whether movement patterns during the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and the friendly-TSST (f-TSST) can predict cortisol reactivity. Using motion capturing, movement data from 41 participants were analyzed alongside salivary cortisol responses. Machine learning models achieved a classification accuracy of 65.2 % for distinguishing cortisol responders from non-responders and a regression mean absolute error of 2.94 nmol/l for predicting cortisol increase. Findings suggest that movement dynamics can serve as proxies of endocrine stress responses, contributing to objective, non-invasive stress assessment methods.
AU  - Abel, L.*
AU  - Richer, R.*
AU  - Burkhardt, F.*
AU  - Kurz, M.*
AU  - Ringgold, V.*
AU  - Schindler-Gmelch, L.*
AU  - Eskofier, B.M.
AU  - Rohleder, N.*
C1  - 75061
C2  - 57731
CY  - The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, England
TI  - Body movements as biomarkers: Machine Learning-based prediction of HPA axis reactivity to stress.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 179
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2025
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Cortisol typically peaks in the morning after waking up and declines throughout the day, reaching its lowest levels during nighttime sleep. Shift work can cause misalignment between cortisol levels and sleep-wake timing. We analyzed this misalignment in female shift workers focusing on the timing and extent of these changes. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 68 shift workers (aged 37 ± 10 years) and 21 non-shift workers (aged 45 ± 10 years) from a hospital. Shift workers were monitored through two day shifts and three night shifts, whereas non-shift workers were monitored during two day shifts. Each participant collected six to eight saliva samples (depending on their shift type) and provided sleep timing information, which was recorded via polysomnography and sleep diaries. Generalized additive mixed models were used to estimate shift-specific differences in cortisol smooth curves. Summary measures calculated for the cortisol smooth curves included cortisol awakening response, peak-to-bed slope, and total output. RESULTS: Between shift workers and non-shift workers, we observed similar diurnal cortisol profiles with a steep negative diurnal slope during day shifts. In shift workers on night shifts, a flattened U-shaped cortisol profile after the post-awakening maximum was observed, with a peak-to-bed slope close to zero. When comparing night to day shifts in the group of shift workers, mean cortisol levels were lower between 42 and 56 minutes and 1.8-11.9 hours after waking up, and higher between 14.9 and 22 hours after waking up. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate altered cortisol profiles in female hospital employees on night shifts. Specifically, cortisol levels were lower at night when higher levels would typically be necessary for work activities, and higher at bedtime after a night shift, when levels should normally be low.
AU  - Burek, K.*
AU  - Rabstein, S.*
AU  - Kantermann, T.*
AU  - Vetter, C.*
AU  - Wang-Sattler, R.
AU  - Lehnert, M.*
AU  - Pallapies, D.*
AU  - Jöckel, K.H.*
AU  - Brüning, T.*
AU  - Behrens, T.*
C1  - 70659
C2  - 55808
CY  - The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, England
TI  - Altered coordination between sleep timing and cortisol profiles in night working female hospital employees.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 166
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2024
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Psychosocial stress has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and death. Dysregulated diurnal cortisol slopes, which have also been associated with stress, might mediate this association. However, existing evidence on the cardiovascular health consequences of dysregulated cortisol slopes remains limited and inconclusive. To elucidate whether dysregulated diurnal cortisol slopes are related to cardiovascular mortality, we assessed salivary cortisol and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in 1090 participants from the KORA-F3 study, a prospective, observational cohort study of a random representative sample from the general population. Eighty-seven deaths were registered during the mean follow-up period of approximately 11 years, 31 of which were classified as cardiovascular deaths. A more pronounced cortisol awakening response was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular mortality in the adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis (HR 0.59 [95-%-CI 0.36–0.96], p = 0.03). A greater diurnal cortisol peak-to-bedtime ratio at baseline also predicted a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR 0.50 [95-%-CI 0.34–0.73], p 0.01) and a decreased risk of stroke (HR 0.71 [95-%-CI 0.55–0.92], p 0.01). Increased levels of late night salivary cortisol predicted a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.49 [95-%-CI 1.13–1.97], p 0.01) and an increased risk of stroke (HR 1.24 [95-%-CI 1.01–1.52], p = 0.04). There was no association between measures of cortisol and non-cardiovascular related mortality. In conclusion, dysregulated diurnal cortisol patterns are associated with cardiovascular mortality, while greater diurnal cortisol variation seems to have a protective effect. This adds evidence to suggest a pathophysiological role of diurnal cortisol secretion patterns in cardiovascular health.
AU  - Karl, S.*
AU  - Johar, H.
AU  - Ladwig, K.H.*
AU  - Peters, A.
AU  - Lederbogen, F.*
C1  - 64736
C2  - 52003
TI  - Dysregulated diurnal cortisol patterns are associated with cardiovascular mortality: Findings from the KORA-F3 study.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 141
PY  - 2022
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Impaired sleep quality and sleep loss compromise glucose homeostasis and metabolic function, but the mechanisms linking sleep and metabolic health are largely unclear. In order to gain insight into the relevance of specific electrophysiological sleep characteristics for metabolic control, we assessed the acute effect on glucose homeostasis as well as energy intake and expenditure of enhancing slow oscillatory activity, a hallmark of slow wave sleep, by closed-loop auditory stimulation in healthy men. Twenty-two young, normal-weight men underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), indirect calorimetry and the assessment of ad-libitum breakfast intake in the morning after nocturnal sleep with or without auditory stimulation in phase with the ongoing rhythmic occurrence of slow oscillation up-states during 210 min of slow-wave sleep in the first night-half. Stimulation vs. no stimulation strongly increased slow oscillatory activity without changing overall sleep structure, but did not alter fasting or oGTT-stimulated measures of glucose homeostasis. Food intake and energy expenditure were likewise comparable between conditions. Findings indicate that in healthy humans electrophysiological sleep quality is tuned to allow for optimal metabolic control. Future studies should investigate the potential of sleep stage-specific interventions to enhance metabolic control and well-being in patients with metabolic ailments.
AU  - Santiago, J.C.
AU  - Ngo, H.V.*
AU  - Jickeli, C.*
AU  - Peter, A.
AU  - Hallschmid, M.
C1  - 54216
C2  - 45442
CY  - The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, England
SP  - 1-7
TI  - Intensifying sleep slow oscillations does not improve metabolic control in healthy men.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 99
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2019
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Subliminal intragastric fatty acid infusion attenuates subjective and brain responses to negative emotion induction. However, the underlying gut-brain signaling mechanisms remain unclear, and it is unknown whether such effect equally applies to positive emotion. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the interaction between fatty acid-induced gut-brain signaling and subjective responses to positive emotion, and the potential mediational role of gastrointestinal (GI) hormones. DESIGN: Twelve fasting healthy women underwent intragastric infusion of 2.5 g lauric acid or saline, after which either positive or neutral emotion was induced for 30 min, in 4 separate visits. Appetite-related sensations, subjective emotional state, and GI hormones were measured at baseline and every 10 min after infusion. Heart rate variability was measured at baseline and at t = 20-30 min to quantify vagal tone (root mean square of successive differences, RMSSD), and sympathovagal balance (low frequency to high frequency ratio, LF/HF). RESULTS: Fatty acid infusion did not influence appetite-related sensations (as expected), nor emotional state ratings (contrary to expectations). As anticipated, fatty acid stimulated release of CCK at t = 20-40 min (p < 0.001), and GLP1 at t = 30-40 min (p < 0.001), but not PYY. Interestingly, positive emotion induction suppressed plasma octanoylated ghrelin at t = 20-40 min (p = 0.020). Further, both positive emotion and fatty acid attenuated RMSSD (p = 0.012 & 0.0073, respectively). Positive emotion attenuated LF/HF after fatty acid (p = 0.0006), but raised LF/HF after saline (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Subliminal fatty acid did not influence subjective responses to positive emotion induction. However, positive emotion induction suppressed octanoylated ghrelin release. Moreover, both positive emotion and subliminal fatty acid decreased cardiac vagal tone. Further, the fatty acid reversed the effect of positive emotion on sympathovagal balance.
AU  - Zhao, D.
AU  - Boey, L.*
AU  - Weltens, N.*
AU  - Biesiekierski, J.R.*
AU  - Iven, J.*
AU  - Depoortere, I.*
AU  - Tack, J.*
AU  - Van Oudenhove, L.*
C1  - 56376
C2  - 47040
SP  - 43-52
TI  - Influence of subliminal intragastric fatty acid infusion on subjective and physiological responses to positive emotion induction in healthy women: A randomized trial.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 108
PY  - 2019
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Natriuretic peptides (NP) are involved in the regulation of blood pressure and blood volume, and are elevated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). They are used as markers for illness severity, but their role in mental health is not well understood. Recently, A-type NP (ANP) has been associated with reduced anxiety in studies on cardiac patients; however, this study is the first to assess this effect for B-type NP (BNP) and for further dimensions of well-being and mental health. Depression, anxiety, and distress are more common in CAD patients than in the general population and are most likely not only influenced by psychological adaptation but also by neurobiological processes. We used baseline N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) samples and psychometric assessments of 529 at least mildly depressed (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, depression score >= 8) CAD patients from the multicenter Stepwise Psychotherapy Intervention for Reducing Risk in Coronary Artery Disease (SPIRR-CAD) trial. Psychosocial status was assessed using standardized self-rating questionnaires on anxiety, depression, coping with illness, vital exhaustion, type D personality, and quality of life. Separate linear regression models for each psychometric scale revealed significant negative correlations of NT-proBNP with anxiety, depression, vital exhaustion, depressive coping, and negative affectivity. Moreover, patients with higher levels of NT-proBNP experienced less bodily pain and had a better self-rated mental health, despite worse physical functioning. Linear regression adjusted for age, sex, and physical functioning (Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) revealed NT-proBNP to be a significant predictor for all tested measures of the patients' psychosocial status. These results indicate that NT-proBNP is not only positively associated with greater disease severity in mildly to moderately depressed CAD patients but also with better psychosocial status and mental well-being. Possible mechanisms of this effect are discussed.
AU  - Fangauf, S.V.*
AU  - Herbeck Belnap, B.*
AU  - Meyer, T.*
AU  - Albus, C.*
AU  - Binder, L.*
AU  - Deter, H.C.*
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
AU  - Michal, M.*
AU  - Ronel, J.*
AU  - Rothenberger, A.*
AU  - Söllner, W.*
AU  - Wachter, R.*
AU  - Weber, C.S.*
AU  - Herrmann-Lingen, C.*
C1  - 53915
C2  - 45044
CY  - The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, England
SP  - 188-194
TI  - Associations of NT-proBNP and parameters of mental health in depressed coronary artery disease patients.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 96
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2018
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Dysregulation in the cortisol secretion may have a role in the development of type 2 diabetes although conflicting evidence on the particular cortisol secretion patterns and type 2 diabetes demands further investigations. We aim to examine the association of cortisol levels and diurnal secretion patterns with prevalence of type 2 diabetes and HbA1c levels as well as the potential impact of sex and adiposity on this association. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 757 participants (aged 65-90 years) of the population-based KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age study. Multivariate regression analyses were employed to examine the association between salivary cortisol (measured upon waking (M1), 30min after awakening (M2), and in the late night (LNSC)) and type 2 diabetes as well as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with adjustments for potential confounders. RESULTS: In the total sample population, an elevated LNSC level was observed in type 2 diabetes patients compared to non-patients (P=0.04). In sex-stratified analyses, diabetic men showed a greater Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) (P=0.02). Diabetic women had significantly elevated LNSC levels (P=0.04). HbA1c was positively associated with both CAR and LNSC levels but was negatively associated with M1 to LNSC ratio. CONCLUSION: In this aged population, type 2 diabetes is associated with dysregulated cortisol secretion characterized by distinct sex specific diurnal patterns.
AU  - Johar, H.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Bidlingmaier, M.*
AU  - Kruse, J.*
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
C1  - 48423
C2  - 41072
CY  - Oxford
SP  - 133-141
TI  - Sex-related differences in the association of salivary cortisol levels and type 2 diabetes. Findings from the cross-sectional population based KORA-Age study.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 69
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2016
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Whether oxytocin functions as a stress hormone in older age is unknown. We investigated levels and the perceived stress of an adverse life event in an older population-representative sample and considered the effect of a secure/insecure attachment style on this association. METHODS: Non-fasting plasma oxytocin was measured from 952 participants (65-90 years) of the cross sectional KORA-Age study. The psychological impact of an adverse life event was assessed based on the Psychosocial Stress Questionnaire. Attachment style was determined by the Relationship-Specific Attachment Scales for Adults. Linear regression models of oxytocin, stratified for attachment style, were controlled for age, sex, and further for alcohol, smoking, and physical activity. Adjusted least squares means of oxytocin were calculated. RESULTS: Oxytocin levels did not differ between men and women (mean, 95% confidence interval (CI), 321 (277-365) and 309 (272-345)pg/ml, respectively). Oxytocin levels were positively associated with the experience of an adverse event (n=273, 29%) versus no event (n=679, 71%), in securely attached (β estimate=0.17, standard error (SE)=0.08, P value=0.03) but not in insecure participants (-0.10, 0.09), P=0.28). Oxytocin was positively associated with diminished stress among securely attached participant (event with little suffering: β=0.35. SE=0.12, great suffering: β=0.15. SE=0.14, severe suffering: β=0.03. SE=0.12). Among participants who reported minimal suffering, insecure individuals had lower oxytocin (adjusted mean, 95%CI: 172, 127-216pg/ml) than securely attached individuals (279, 222-352pg/ml, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: These epidemiologic data support the hypothesis that oxytocin may have an attenuating effect on perceived stress due to adverse life events in old age. The conditional role of attachment style in stress-induced endogenous oxytocin production is highlighted.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Huber, D.*
AU  - Bidlingmaier, M.*
AU  - Reincke, M.*
AU  - Klug, G.*
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
C1  - 44101
C2  - 36779
CY  - Oxford
SP  - 132-142
TI  - Oxytocin-induced coping with stressful life events in old age depends on attachment: Findings from the cross-sectional KORA Age study.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 56
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2015
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background A dysregulated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis (HPA) is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment. Surprisingly, little agreement exists on the association of cortisol and cognitive impairment. Thus, we sought to examine the association between cognitive function and salivary cortisol levels in a representative sample of older men and women. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 733 study participants (65–90 years old, mean age = 74.9) of the population-based KORA (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg)-Age study. Associations were examined between cognitive function (determined by telephone interview for cognitive status-modified, TICS-m) and salivary cortisol measured upon waking (M1), 30 min after awakening (M2), and in the late evening (E). Results In a dose response manner, lower morning (M1 and M2), and increased evening levels were observed in participants with probable dementia (4.5%, N = 33) and slightly increased in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (13.8%, N = 101) compared to healthy individuals. Higher morning to evening ratios were associated with reduced odds of cognitive impairment, even after adjustments for important confounders (M1/E ratio: OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.08–2.07, M2/E ratio: 1.41, 1.01–1.95, per 1 standard deviation (SD) increase). However, the significant association of an increased risk for cognitive impairment was observed among men (M1/E: OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.24–3.02; M2/E = 1.74, 1.12–2.71) but not women (M1/E: OR = 1.11, 0.69–1.78; M2/E = 1.09, 0.67–1.77). Conclusion Our findings suggest that dysregulated HPA axis reactivity, evidenced by blunted diurnal cortisol responses, are associated with impaired cognitive function in an aged population.
AU  - Johar, H.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Bidlingmaier, M.*
AU  - Lacruz, M.E.*
AU  - Reincke, M.*
AU  - Peters, A.
AU  - Heier, M.
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
C1  - 42819
C2  - 35356
CY  - Oxford
SP  - 296-306
TI  - Lower morning to evening cortisol ratio is associated with cognitive impairment in men but not women: An analysis of 733 older subjects of the cross-sectional KORA-Age study.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 51
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2015
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Depression and anxiety disorders are often characterized by altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis re-/activity. However, the presence of a molecular link between dysbalanced neuroendocrine regulation and psychopathologies is not yet fully established. Earlier, we reported that high (HAB), normal (NAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behavior mice express divergent anxiety-related and passive/active coping phenotypes. Here, we studied mechanisms that might contribute to the different HPA axis reactivity observed in HAB, NAB and LAB mice and their involvement in the regulation of anxiety-related behavior and passive/active coping style. We found that HAB mice respond with significantly reduced corticosterone (CORT) secretion to an acute stressful stimulus and a blunted response in the Dex/CRH test compared to NAB and LAB mice. At the molecular level, higher expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR/Nr3c1) and decreased corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) expression were observed in the pituitary of HAB mice. We further analyzed whether these stress mediators differed between the HAB, NAB and LAB lines in limbic system-associated brain regions and whether their interplay contributes to the phenotype. Interestingly, not only in the pituitary but also in almost all brain regions investigated, GR expression was significantly higher in HAB mice. In contrast, the amount of CORT in the brain structures analyzed was significantly lower in these animals. The expression of CRHR1 varied in the prefrontal cortex only. Since glucocorticoids regulate both GR and CRHR1, we treated HAB and NAB mice chronically with CORT. After 6 weeks of administration, reduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors were observed in HAB mice, whereas increased anxiety was found in NABs. In both groups, GR, but not CRHR1, were significantly reduced. Taken together, our study proposes HAB mice as an animal model of simultaneous features of increased anxiety-related and depression-like behaviors with blunted HPA axis reactivity suggesting a dysregulated GR/CORT system as one key mechanism behind their phenotype.
AU  - Sotnikov, S.*
AU  - Wittmann, A.*
AU  - Bunck, M.*
AU  - Bauer, S.*
AU  - Deussing, J.M.
AU  - Schmidt, M.*
AU  - Touma, C.*
AU  - Landgraf, R.*
AU  - Czibere, L.*
C1  - 31728
C2  - 34737
CY  - Oxford
SP  - 41-51
TI  - Blunted HPA axis reactivity reveals glucocorticoid system dysbalance in a mouse model of high anxiety-related behavior.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 48
PB  - Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
PY  - 2014
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Background Individuals with negative affectivity who are inhibited in social situations are characterized as distressed, or Type D, and have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The underlying biomechanisms that link this psychological affect to a pathological state are not well understood. This study applied a metabolomic approach to explore biochemical pathways that may contribute to the Type D personality. Methods Type D personality was determined by the Type D Scale-14. Small molecule biochemicals were measured using two complementary mass-spectrometry based metabolomics platforms. Metabolic profiles of Type D and non-Type D participants within a population-based study in Southern Germany were compared in cross-sectional regression analyses. The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 instruments were also used to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively, within this metabolomic study. Results 668 metabolites were identified in the serum of 1502 participants (age 32–77); 386 of these individuals were classified as Type D. While demographic and biomedical characteristics were equally distributed between the groups, a higher level of depression and anxiety was observed in Type D individuals. Significantly lower levels of the tryptophan metabolite kynurenine were associated with Type D (p-value corrected for multiple testing = 0.042), while no significant associations could be found for depression and anxiety. A Gaussian graphical model analysis enabled the identification of four potentially interesting metabolite networks that are enriched in metabolites (androsterone sulfate, tyrosine, indoxyl sulfate or caffeine) that associate nominally with Type D personality. Conclusions This study identified novel biochemical pathways associated with Type D personality and demonstrates that the application of metabolomic approaches in population studies can reveal mechanisms that may contribute to psychological health and disease.
AU  - Altmaier, E.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Krumsiek, J.
AU  - Lacruz, M.E.
AU  - Lukaschek, K.
AU  - Häfner, S.
AU  - Kastenmüller, G.
AU  - Römisch-Margl, W.
AU  - Prehn, C.
AU  - Mohney, R.P.*
AU  - Evans, A.M.*
AU  - Milburn, M.V.*
AU  - Illig, T.
AU  - Adamski, J.
AU  - Theis, F.J.
AU  - Suhre, K.
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
C1  - 11388
C2  - 30638
SP  - 1299-1309
TI  - Metabolomic profiles in individuals with negative affectivity and social inhibition: A population-based study of Type D personality.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 38
IS  - 8
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2013
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - CONTEXT: Preliminary evidence points to aldosterone being not only prominently involved in the systemic regulation of the blood pressure but also to play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated whether the combination of hypertension and depressed symptomatology is useful to screen for individuals suffering an activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in participants from the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) F4 Study conducted between 2006 and 2008 in Southern Germany. A total of 1805 participants of the F4 study were included in the study. METHODS: The association between aldosterone and renin levels and the different combinations of hypertension and depressed symptomatology was examined in four different models of multiple linear regression adjusted for age, sex, creatinine levels, potassium levels, body mass index (BMI) and behavioural risk factors. RESULTS: Individuals suffering both, depressed symptomatology and hypertension exhibited highly significantly increased aldosterone levels (p<0.001) and slightly, not significantly increased renin levels (p=0.08) compared to individuals with no depressed symptomatology and no hypertension. No significant activation of the RAAS was seen in only depressed or only hypertensive individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of highly significantly increased aldosterone levels and increased renin levels in individuals suffering both, depressed symptomatology and hypertension provides further evidence for the involvement of the RAAS in the pathogenesis of depressed symptomatology. These findings have important implications for future research concerning the pathophysiological pathways that link depression and cardiovascular disease.
AU  - Häfner, S.
AU  - Baumert, J.J.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Lacruz, M.E.
AU  - Bidlingmaier, M.*
AU  - Reincke, M.
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
C1  - 25224
C2  - 31848
SP  - 2065-2074
TI  - Hypertension and depressed symptomatology: A cluster related to the activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS). Findings from population based KORA F4 study.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 38
IS  - 10
PB  - Pergamon-Elsevier
PY  - 2013
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Sex hormones levels and the androgen receptor CAGn polymorphism have been shown to be involved in depressed mood in aging men. But the few prior studies found inconsistent results on the role of both factors. METHODS: 186 male participants aged ≥65 years from the community based Memory and Morbidity in Augsburg Elderly (MEMO) Study underwent a physical examination, and a medical interview including two scales (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL). Testosterone, SHBG and LH levels were measured and the androgen receptor CAGn polymorphism was genotyped. χ(2), Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson's correlations and multivariable linear and logistic regression were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Higher depressive scores were significantly associated with higher SHBG-levels (beta coefficient 0.25, p<0.001). SHBG alone explained 8% of variance of the CES-D depression score. Mortality at 10 years follow-up was predicted by higher SHBG levels, higher ADL-scores, older age, current smoking and the depression score at baseline. This model explained 35% of the variance of mortality. The number of CAG repeats was neither related to depression scores nor to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We found positive associations between SHBG levels and old age male depression as well as mortality. Whether SHBG has a testosterone independent effect in this context should be investigated further.
AU  - Schneider, G.*
AU  - Zitzmann, M.*
AU  - Gromoll, J.*
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
AU  - Berger, K.*
C1  - 26238
C2  - 32138
SP  - 2083-2090
TI  - The relation between sex hormone levels, the androgen receptor CAGn-polymorphism and depression and mortality in older men in a community study.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 38
IS  - 10
PB  - Pergamon-Elsevier
PY  - 2013
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - INTRODUCTION: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) is one of the most important systems involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Its role in stress response has been generally neglected, although the progression of cardiovascular disease is considerably increased in the presence of stress and especially in the presence of depression risk. With the present analysis we aimed to evaluate whether the activity of the RAAS correlates with depressive symptomatology and with chronic stress. Moreover, we aimed to analyse whether stress response is altered in the presence of depressed symptomatology. We chose "living alone" to be our paradigm of chronic stress. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aldosterone and renin levels were assessed in 1743 (829 men, 914 women) from the population-based KORA study (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg). The relationship between aldosterone, renin levels and the different combinations of living alone and depressive symptomatology was examined in three different multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, creatinine levels, potassium levels, body mass index (BMI) and bio-behavioural factors. Neither "living alone" nor depressive symptomatology alone were associated with an activation of the RAAS, but the combination of living alone and depressive symptomatology yielded a highly significant increase in the aldosterone (p<0.01) and renin level (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that depressive symptomatology is associated with a hyper-responsiveness to chronic stress. Under the condition of chronic stress depressed individuals have an activated RAAS. Activation of the RAAS might explain the known increased risk of negative cardiovascular disease outcomes in this group.
AU  - Häfner, S.
AU  - Baumert, J.J.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Lacruz, M.E.
AU  - Bidlingmaier, M.*
AU  - Reincke, M.*
AU  - Kuenzel, H.*
AU  - Holle, R.
AU  - Rupprecht, R.*
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
AU  - MONICA/KORA Study Investigators ()
C1  - 7235
C2  - 29798
SP  - 230-237
TI  - To live alone and to be depressed, an alarming combination for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS).
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 37
IS  - 2
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2012
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BACKGROUND: Leptin, involved in energy homeostasis and a predictor of cardiovascular disease, has recently been recognized as mediator in stress reactions. We aimed to explore the association between leptin levels and two stress-related conditions, social isolation and depressed mood, both associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: We analysed leptin levels in 1229 subjects (643 men, 586 women), derived from the population-based MONIKA/KORA study. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess depressive mood and social isolation. In a multiple linear regression adjusted for body weight, age and survey, the association between leptin, social isolation and depressed mood and its interaction was explored in men and women separately. Leptin was then dichotomized and four analyses, adjusted for age, BMI, lifestyle factors, psychosomatic complaints and metabolic variables were performed to compare the risk of elevated leptin levels in the risk groups. RESULTS: Increased leptin levels were associated with social isolation (p=0.04) and the interaction between social isolation and depressed mood (p=0.02) in men but not in women. In socially isolated and depressed men, leptin levels (mean: 6.07 ng/ml) were significantly increased compared to neither depressed nor isolated men (mean: 4.51 ng/ml, p=0.04). In the multivariate adjusted logistic regression model, the combination of depressed state and social isolation was associated with a 4-fold increased risk (p<0.001) for elevated leptin levels.CONCLUSION: The finding of elevated leptin levels in socially isolated and depressed men raises the possibility that increased cardiovascular mortality in socially isolated men is partially mediated by hyperleptinemia.
AU  - Häfner, S.*
AU  - Zierer, A.
AU  - Emeny, R.T.
AU  - Thorand, B.
AU  - Herder, C.*
AU  - Koenig, W.*
AU  - Rupprecht, R.*
AU  - Ladwig, K.-H.
C1  - 6198
C2  - 28561
SP  - 200-209
TI  - Social isolation and depressed mood are associated with elevated serum leptin levels in men but not in women.
JO  - Psychoneuroendocrinology
VL  - 36
IS  - 2
PB  - Elsevier
PY  - 2011
SN  - 0306-4530
ER  -