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Gender differences in age-related changes in HPA axis reactivity
T E Seeman1, B Singer, C W Wilkinson
1Division of Geriatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1687, USA. tseeman@mednet.ucla.edu
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|February 13, 2001
Summary
Older women exhibit a greater age-related increase in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity compared to younger adults. This study investigated HPA axis response patterns in men and women across different age groups.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress response.
- Age-related changes in HPA axis function are well-documented.
- Gender differences in stress reactivity may emerge with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential gender differences in age-related HPA axis response patterns.
- To test the hypothesis that women show a greater age-related increase in HPA axis reactivity.
Main Methods:
- Salivary "free" cortisol levels were measured in response to a cognitive challenge.
- Participants included younger (22-26 years) and older (67-88 years) adults.
- A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze response patterns.
Main Results:
- Older age was associated with higher baseline cortisol levels.
- A significant age-by-gender interaction was observed in HPA axis response.
- Younger men showed greater cortisol increases, while older women showed greater increases.
Conclusions:
- HPA axis response to cognitive challenge differs between younger and older adults, with distinct patterns for men and women.
- Women exhibit a more pronounced age-related increase in HPA axis reactivity.
- Findings suggest that gender influences the aging trajectory of the HPA axis.