title: Plasma beta-endorphin levels in post-traumatic stress disorder: a preliminary report on response to exercise-induced stress.
abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with changes in endogenous opioid peptide function. To test this hypothesis, 10 male Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD and 8 age-matched male controls underwent a standard grade-incremented exercise treadmill stress test. Plasma beta-endorphin measurements were obtained at rest and following maximal exercise. Resting plasma beta-endorphin levels were comparable between groups. Post-exercise plasma beta-endorphin levels were significantly higher than resting levels in the PTSD patients only (P less than 0.05). These pilot data suggest a differential alteration in plasma beta-endorphin response to exercise in PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hamner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hitri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001615:beta-Endorphin