title: High neuroticism and depressive temperament are associated with dysfunctional regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system in healthy volunteers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Elevated neuroticism, depressive temperament and dysfunctional regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system are considered as risk factors for unipolar depression. An interaction of these vulnerability factors was suggested, but controversially discussed. In absence of other informative studies we set out for a replication test and for elucidation of the underlying mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two subjects recruited in the community-performed assessments of personality and temperament as well as measurement of HPA function with the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone (Dex/CRH) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cortisol levels subsequent to Dex/CRH challenge were associated with neuroticism; high-neuroticism subjects revealed a higher HPA activation. This difference was mainly because of male subjects >/=25 years. A similar relationship was observed for depressive temperament.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This constellation may propose that HPA dysregulation is the endocrinological basis for neuroticism and depressive temperament; this result supports the view that distinct personality factors and HPA vulnerability interact in mediating depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zobel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barkow
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulze-Rauschenbach
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Von Widdern
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metten
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schnell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013694:Temperament
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone