Faculty Collaboration Database

Subgenual prefrontal cortex activity predicts individual differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity across different contexts. Biol Psychiatry 2010 Jan 15;67(2):175-81

Date

10/23/2009

Pubmed ID

19846063

Pubmed Central ID

PMC2804442

DOI

10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.07.039

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-71649103783 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   54 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system activation is adaptive in response to stress, and HPA dysregulation occurs in stress-related psychopathology. It is important to understand the mechanisms that modulate HPA output, yet few studies have addressed the neural circuitry associated with HPA regulation in primates and humans. Using high-resolution F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in rhesus monkeys, we assessed the relation between individual differences in brain activity and HPA function across multiple contexts that varied in stressfulness.

METHODS: Using a logical AND conjunctions analysis, we assessed cortisol and brain metabolic activity with FDG-PET in 35 adolescent rhesus monkeys exposed to two threat and two home-cage conditions. To test the robustness of our findings, we used similar methods in an archival data set. In this data set, brain metabolic activity and cortisol were assessed in 17 adolescent male rhesus monkeys that were exposed to three stress-related contexts.

RESULTS: Results from the two studies revealed that subgenual prefrontal cortex (PFC) metabolism (Brodmann's area 25/24) consistently predicted individual differences in plasma cortisol concentrations regardless of the context in which brain activity and cortisol were assessed.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that activation in subgenual PFC may be related to HPA output across a variety of contexts (including familiar settings and novel or threatening situations). Individuals prone to elevated subgenual PFC activity across multiple contexts may be individuals who consistently show heightened cortisol and may be at risk for stress-related HPA dysregulation.

Author List

Jahn AL, Fox AS, Abercrombie HC, Shelton SE, Oakes TR, Davidson RJ, Kalin NH

Author

Allison L. Jahn PhD Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

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

Animals
Brain
Brain Mapping
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Hydrocortisone
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
Immunoassay
Individuality
Logistic Models
Macaca mulatta
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Pituitary-Adrenal System
Positron-Emission Tomography
Predictive Value of Tests
Prefrontal Cortex
Probability
Social Isolation
Stress, Psychological