Cortisol rapidly affects amplitudes of heartbeat-evoked brain potentials - Implications for the contribution of stress to an altered perception of physical sensations?

in Psychoneuroendocrinology (2013), 38(11), 2691-2698

Little is known about the impact of stress and stress hormones on the processing of visceral-afferent signals. Clinical data suggest that cortisol may lower the threshold for interoceptive stimuli, while ... [more ▼]

Little is known about the impact of stress and stress hormones on the processing of visceral-afferent signals. Clinical data suggest that cortisol may lower the threshold for interoceptive stimuli, while a pharmacological administration of cortisol decreases the sensitivity for physical symptoms. To clarify the role of cortisol for the processing of interoceptive signals, we investigated 16 healthy men on two occasions, once during the infusion of 4mg of cortisol and once during the infusion of a placebo substance. Heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP; derived from resting EEG and ECG, during open and closed eyes), which are psychophysiological indicators for the cortical processing of cardioceptive signals, were measured over 6-min periods once before, and four times after the infusion (1-7, 11-17, 21-27 and 31-37min). We found that HEP amplitudes were higher during open than during closed eyes between 1 and 17min after cortisol infusion. There was no effect of cortisol on heart rate. We conclude that cortisol may rapidly modulate the cortical processing of cardioceptive neural signals. These results may have relevance for the effects of stress on the development and maintenance of psychosomatic symptoms. [less ▲]

Stability of Heart Rate Variability Indices Reflecting Parasympathetic Activity

in Psychophysiology (2012), 49(5), 672-682

Zusammenhänge zwischen physiologischer Stressantwort und subjektivem Stresserleben beim sozial evaluierten Kaltwasserstresstest

in Tagungsprogramm Psychologie und Gehirn 2011 (2011)

Der moderierende Einfluss der Handlungs- und Lageorientierung auf Leistung unter Stress in komplexen Mehrfachaufgaben

in Petermann, F.; Koglin, U. (Eds.) Erklären, entscheiden, planen. 47. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie. (2010)

Auditorisch-evozierte Potenziale (AEPs) auf akustische Schreckreize werden durch den kardialen Zyklus moduliert

in Kurzbeiträge Psychologie und Gehirn 2010 (2010)

Alteration of cerebral perfusion in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus measured by 3D perfusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging.

in Journal of neurology (2005), 252(12), 1465-71

OBJECTIVE: It is controversial whether alteration of cerebral perfusion plays an important role in the pathophysiology of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and can help to ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: It is controversial whether alteration of cerebral perfusion plays an important role in the pathophysiology of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and can help to predict the outcome after shunt surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 patients with suspected NPH were examined clinically (Homburg Hydrocephalus Scale, walking test, incontinence protocol) and by 3D dynamic susceptibility based perfusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI-MRI) before and after cerebrospinal fluid release (spinal tap test, STT). The perfusion parameters (negative integral (NI), time of arrival (T0), time to peak (TTP), mean transit time, and the difference TTP-T0 were analysed. RESULTS: Three different groups of patients were identified preoperatively: In group 1 seven patients showed an increase in the cerebral perfusion and a clinical improvement after STT. The second group (9 patients) also revealed an increase of the cerebral perfusion, but no significant alteration of the clinical assessment could be found. In the third group neither the cerebral perfusion nor the clinical assessment changed. 14 of the 16 patients (group 1 and 2) were examined three months after shunt placement. 11 patients showed a good or excellent result, 2 patients revealed a fair assessment, and only 1 patient had transiently improved. No patient was downgraded after shunting. In the patient group 1 and 2 the NI increased significantly (effect size: 34%), whereas in group 3 no significant alteration of NI was observed. CONCLUSION: PWI-MRI improves the prediction of outcome after shunt placement in patients with NPH and can offer new insights into the pathophysiology. [less ▲]