title: Frequent nightmares are associated with blunted cortisol awakening response in women.
abstract: Nightmares are relatively common sleep complaints that seem to be associated with affective distress. To date, few attempts have been made to link nightmares to the biological markers of the stress response, and the HPA response in particular. The present study examined the relationship between frequent nightmares and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in a cross-sectional study of working women (N=188). Analysis revealed that those who reported frequent nightmares (N=13) showed a blunted CAR on a working day, compared to those who did not report nightmares. This result was independent of psychiatric symptoms, demographic variables, and lifestyle. Our preliminary findings suggest that decreased HPA reactivity might be a trait-like feature of women with frequent nightmares.
authors.affiliation: Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Izabella u. 46, H-1064 Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: nagy.tamas@ppk.elte.hu.
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gyöngyvér
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salavecz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Egry József utca 1, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary; Nyírő Gyula Hospital, National Institute of Psychiatry and Addictions, Lehel utca 59 H-1135 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simor
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Purebl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Róbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bódizs
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Coláiste Na Hollscoile, Bóthar an Choláiste, Corcaigh, Ireland.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dockray
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steptoe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004325:Dreams / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisol awakening response; Hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis; Nightmare; Sleep