title: [The effect of "stress hormones" on emotional sensitivity].
abstract: Stress is associated with an increased secretion of hormones from the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis (HPA-axis). Once released into the blood stream they induce a number of adaptive changes that may also have pertinence to brain functions, resulting, for example in alterations of mood. To provide evidence for a mediation of mood changes by stress related hormone secretion, the influences of a short-term administration of hormones of the HPA-axis on mood and activation were assessed in a total of 182 healthy men (aged between 18 and 34 years in 7 experiments). Effects of intravenously administered hormones on self-perceived mood and activation were assessed by a standardized adjective checklist (Eigenschaftswörterliste) in placebo-controlled, double-blind experiments during rest. Results indicated no effects following corticotropin releasing-hormone or cholecystokinin, but specific effects resulted after vasopressin, oxytocin, ACTH-related hormones, and cortisol. Vasopressin and oxytocin increased activation and attenuated arousal and anger, ACTH-related hormones increased sensitivity and diminished extraversion, while cortisol increased activation and concentration. It is concluded that hormones of the HPA-axis specifically affect mood and activation. The pattern of hormonal changes in mood may have adaptive functions by preparing for behavioral and cognitive coping with stress.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Psychophysiologie, Universität Bamberg.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pietrowsky
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krug
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Fehm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Born
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones
vernacular_title: Der Einfluss von "Stresshormonen" auf die emotionale Befindlichkeit.