Relationships among plasma dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, symptoms of dissociation, and objective performance in humans exposed to underwater navigation stress.
BACKGROUND
A growing body of research has provided evidence that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are involved in an organism's response to stress and that it may provide beneficial behavioral and neurotrophic effects.


METHODS
This study investigated plasma DHEA and DHEAS, cortisol, psychological symptoms of dissociation, and military performance in 41 healthy active duty subjects enrolled in the military Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC).


RESULTS
Baseline values of DHEA and DHEAS were significantly and positively predictive of superior performance in the underwater navigation exam; in addition, DHEA and DHEAS were significantly and negatively related to stress-induced symptoms of dissociation during performance of the task. Similarly, participants who reported fewer symptoms of dissociation exhibited superior military performance and increased levels of DHEA after the test.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide prospective, empiric evidence that DHEA and DHEAS are associated with superior stress tolerance, fewer symptoms of dissociation, and superior, objectively assessed, military performance.
Morgan
Charles A
CA
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. charles.a.morgan@yale.edu
Rasmusson
Ann
A
Pietrzak
Robert H
RH
Coric
Vladimir
V
Southwick
Steven M
SM
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D004213:Dissociative Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone