Abstract | RATIONALE: OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Healthy medication-free male and premenopausal follicular phase female participants with chronic PTSD (n = 43; 49 % female) and controls (n = 42; 50 % female) completed an overnight metyrapone challenge and ACTH, progesterone, and allopregnanolone were obtained by repeated blood sampling. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of increased ACTH to metyrapone in PTSD and in women may reflect heightened hypothalamic CRF hypersecretion. Progesterone and allopregnanolone partially mediated the ACTH response in PTSD. Further characterizing sex differences in these processes will advance our understanding of the pathophysiology of PTSD, and may ultimately lead to better-targeted, more effective treatment.
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Authors | Sabra S Inslicht, Anne Richards, Erin Madden, Madhu N Rao, Aoife O'Donovan, Lisa S Talbot, Evelyn Rucker, Thomas J Metzler, Richard L Hauger, Thomas C Neylan |
Journal | Psychopharmacology
(Psychopharmacology (Berl))
Vol. 231
Issue 17
Pg. 3581-95
(Sep 2014)
ISSN: 1432-2072 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 24952092
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Enzyme Inhibitors
- Neurotransmitter Agents
- Progesterone
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
- Pregnanolone
- Hydrocortisone
- Metyrapone
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Topics |
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
(blood)
- Adult
- Enzyme Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Feedback, Physiological
(drug effects)
- Female
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone
(blood)
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
(drug effects)
- Male
- Metyrapone
(therapeutic use)
- Neurotransmitter Agents
(metabolism)
- Pituitary-Adrenal System
(drug effects)
- Pregnanolone
(blood)
- Progesterone
(blood)
- Sex Characteristics
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
(drug therapy, metabolism)
- Young Adult
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