Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6826183 | Schizophrenia Research | 2013 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
Compared to healthy controls, individuals at UHR reported significantly higher levels of depression, deficits in protective factors, and a trend for higher chronic stress levels. Cortisol levels and systolic blood pressure during the TSST were significantly lower in the UHR group, while heart rate changes were comparable to controls. Lower cortisol levels in the UHR group were associated with higher self-ratings of stress in the past year and a lower level of education. Attenuated cortisol responses to acute psychosocial stress in the presence of high chronic stress could indicate a desensitization of the HPA axis. Associated poor metabolic and psychological adjustment to stress might increase vulnerability for the development of psychosis.
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Authors
Marita Pruessner, Laura Béchard-Evans, Ludmila Boekestyn, Srividya N. Iyer, Jens C. Pruessner, Ashok K. Malla,