title: In the search for integrative biomarker of resilience to psychological stress.
abstract: Psychological resilience can be defined as individual's ability to withstand and adapt to adverse and traumatic events. Resilience is traditionally assessed by subjective reports, a method that is susceptible to self-report bias. An ideal solution to this challenge is the introduction of standardised and validated physiological and/or biological predictors of resilience. We provide a summary of the major concepts in the field of resilience followed by a detailed critical review of the literature around physiological, neurochemical and immune markers of resilience. We conclude that in future experimental protocols, biological markers of resilience should be assesses both during baseline and during laboratory stressors. In the former case the most promising candidates are represented by heart rate variability and by in vitro immune cells assay; in the latter case-by startle responses (especially their habituation) during stress challenge and by cardiovascular recovery after stress, and by cortisol, DHEA and cytokine responses. Importantly, they should be used in combination to enhance predictive power.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2300, Australia.
authors.forename: Frederick R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: 1st Psychology Unit, Australian Army, Australia.
authors.forename: Kane
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pfingst
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39/E, I-43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carnevali
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39/E, I-43100 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgoifo
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2300, Australia. Electronic address: eugene.nalivaiko@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nalivaiko
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D015415:Biomarkers; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Biomarkers; PTSD; Psychological stress; Resilience