Effects of parental PTSD on the cortisol response to dexamethasone administration in their adult offspring.
OBJECTIVE
The authors used a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test to examine the effect of a PTSD risk factor, parental PTSD, on cortisol negative feedback inhibition in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors with PTSD (N=13) versus without PTSD (N=12) as well as a comparison group of offspring whose parents had no Holocaust exposure (N=16).


METHODS
Blood samples were obtained at 8:00 a.m. for the determination of baseline cortisol. Participants ingested 0.5 mg of dexamethasone at 11:00 p.m., and blood samples were obtained again at 8:00 a.m. the following day.


RESULTS
Enhanced cortisol suppression in response to dexamethasone was associated primarily with parental PTSD status, with minimal contribution of subjects' own trauma-related symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced cortisol negative feedback inhibition may be associated with PTSD because it is related to the PTSD risk factor of parental PTSD.
Yehuda
Rachel
R
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Bronx Veterans Affairs, 130 West Kingsbridge Rd., Bronx, NY 10468, USA. Rachel.Yehuda@med.va.gov
Blair
William
W
Labinsky
Ellen
E
Bierer
Linda M
LM
D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003907:Dexamethasone; D005260:Female; D017767:Holocaust / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone