title: Association between Cold Face Test-induced vagal inhibition and cortisol response to acute stress.
abstract: Low vagal function is related to several disorders. One possible underlying mechanism linking the vagus nerve and disorders is the HPA axis. Thirty-three healthy male subjects participated in a stress task, while heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), salivary cortisol, and mood were assessed. Vagal function was determined using baseline, stress-induced inhibition, and Cold Face Test (CFT)-induced stimulation. The stress task induced a significant increase in cortisol and HR, a decrease in RSA, and a worsening of mood. A linear regression model with the time from CFT onset until maximum bradycardia as the independent variable explained 17.9% of the total variance in cortisol in response to the stressor (mood: 36.5%). The results indicate that a faster CFT response is associated with reduced cortisol increase and enhanced mood after acute stress. Our data support an inverse relationship between vagal function and the HPA axis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: La Marca
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Waldvogel
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thörn
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tripod
authors.forename: Petra H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.forename: Jens C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pruessner
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ehlert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D001146:Arrhythmia, Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone