Exogenous cortisol acutely influences motivated decision making in healthy young men.
BACKGROUND
The glucocorticoid (GC) hormone cortisol is the end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). Acute psychological stress increases HPA activity and GC release. In humans, chronic disturbances in HPA activity have been observed in affective disorders and in addictive behaviour. Recent research indicates that acute effects of GCs may be anxiolytic and increase reward sensitivity. Furthermore, cortisol acutely influences early cognitive processing of emotional stimuli.


METHODS
In order to extend such findings to more complex emotional-cognitive behaviour, the present study tested acute effects of 40 mg cortisol on motivated decision making in 30 healthy young men.


RESULTS
Results showed that cortisol indeed increased risky decision making, as predicted. This effect occurred for decisions where making a risky choice could potentially yield a big reward. These results are discussed with respect to currently proposed mechanisms for cortisol's potential anxiolytic effect and GCs' involvement in reward systems.
Putman
Peter
P
Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. PPutman@FSW.leidenuniv.nl
Antypa
Niki
N
Crysovergi
Panagiota
P
van der Does
Willem A J
WA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003463:Cues; D003657:Decision Making / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005715:Gambling; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011678:Punishment; D012201:Reward; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D002214:Capsules; D006854:Hydrocortisone