Overall cortisol, diurnal slope, and stress reactivity in psychosis: An experience sampling approach. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vaessen, Thomas; Kasanova, Zuzana; Hernaus, Dennis; Lataster, Johan; Collip, Dina; van Nierop, Martine; Myin-Germeys, Inez
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 96(2018)
• Page Start: 61
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Psychotic disorder -- Familial risk -- Antipsychotics -- HPA axis -- Ambulatory assessment -- Schizophrenia; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.06.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Highlights: Psychosis patients, but not their first-degree relatives, showed blunted cortisol reactivity to daily stressors. There were no differences in overall cortisol levels between healthy volunteers, psychosis patients, and their first-degree relatives. We found no effects of antipsychotic medication use on overall cortisol levels, diurnal slope, or cortisol stress reactivity. 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.