Medical College of Wisconsin
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Endocannabinoids, cortisol, and development of post-traumatic psychopathological trajectories. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2023;85:199-206

Date

11/14/2023

Pubmed ID

37956620

Pubmed Central ID

PMC10843734

DOI

10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.11.002

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85176356508 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our prior published work using the 2-factor model of PTSD identified four subgroups of trauma survivors on average 6 months following trauma: Resilient, Dysphoria, High Comorbid, and Severe Comorbid. Some findings indicate that low and high cortisol responses may increase risk for the development of PTSD and depression respectively, yet ways in which cortisol interacts with other physiological systems to enhance risk is unclear. This study examined the role of circulating eCBs in the development of previously identified psychopathological trajectories that is differentiated by cortisol in traumatically injured adults (N = 169).

METHODS: Circulating concentrations of eCBs, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) were measured during post-injury hospitalization and on average 6 months following trauma. Differences in 2-AG and AEA among the subgroups were tested using multivariate ANCOVA.

RESULTS: Dysphoria (with highest cortisol levels) and High Comorbid subgroups exhibited higher post-injury AEA compared to the Resilient group. Dysphoria subgroup showed a significant decline in AEA by 6 months compared to Resilient and High Comorbid subgroups.

CONCLUSION: Change in AEA over time in individuals with high post-injury cortisol may serve as a buffer against risk for severe psychopathology. Assessing AEA and cortisol levels concurrently across time may serve as indicators of risk.

Author List

Jayan D, Timmer-Murillo S, Fitzgerald JM, Hillard CJ, de Roon-Cassini TA

Author

Cecilia J. Hillard PhD Associate Dean, Center Director, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Comorbidity
Depressive Disorder, Major
Endocannabinoids
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic