Effects of PhD examination stress on allopregnanolone and cortisol plasma levels and peripheral benzodiazepine receptor density.
Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) density in blood platelets and plasma allopregnanolone concentration in humans were determined following acute stress as represented by PhD examination. Fifteen healthy PhD students participated. Heart rate, blood pressure, plasma allopregnanolone, plasma cortisol, and PBR density were measured at different time points. Allopregnanolone and cortisol concentration and PBR density were significantly increased during examination. A positive correlation between allopregnanolone and PBR density was found.
Unit for Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuropsychiatry, 331 Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Hal A
HA
Droogleever Fortuyn
Frank
F
van Broekhoven
Paul N
PN
Span
Torbjörn
T
Bäckström
Frans G
FG
Zitman
Robbert J
RJ
Verkes
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000097:blood*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D011280:Pregnanolone; D006854:Hydrocortisone