title: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal alterations in PTSD: are they relevant to understanding cortisol alterations in cancer?
abstract: Recent studies of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis alterations in PTSD have demonstrated a specific type of hyperresponsivity of this stress hormonal system characterized by a greater negative feedback inhibition of cortisol, which may paradoxically serve to lower cortisol levels. The occurrence of cancer has been recently described by many investigators as an event that fulfills the DSM-IV criteria for a "traumatic event" that has been demonstrated in some cases to be linked with the subsequent development of PTSD. This review considers the extent to which neuroendocrine alterations observed in PTSD may be useful in understanding cortisol alterations involved in cancer.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department and Division of Traumatic Stress Studies, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx Veterans Affairs, NY, USA. rachel.yehuda@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yehuda
mesh_terms: D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000276:immunology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone