Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

The Trier Social Stress Test Protocol for Inducing Psychological Stress
Published on: October 19, 2011
Response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to lumbar puncture induced stress
A J Lerner1, R C Elston, C H Chen
1Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. ajl3@po.cwru.edu
Abstract:
To assess lumbar puncture (LP) stress as measured by Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis response, serum cortisols were measured before and after LP in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy elderly individuals. There were no differences in baseline serum cortisol. AD group had significantly higher cortisols at 165 minutes post-LP. Growth curve analysis confirmed these findings and showed significant differences in cortisol levels overall. The AD males had higher cortisols at 105 minutes post-LP, but no other consistent gender differences emerged. The findings are consistent with the relative reduction in HPA negative feedback seen in AD. Overall, LP induces little change in group mean cortisol levels relative to inter-individual variation, indicating that while LP is an interesting model of neuroendocrine challenge, it needs to be tested in larger populations.
Related Concept Videos
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands
These glands possess a distinctive yellow tinge due to the stored cholesterol and fatty acids required for hormone synthesis. They are encased in a fibrous capsule and cushioned by fat.
The adrenal gland comprises two distinct regions...
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Stress Response System
Alarm stage
In the alarm stage, the body's initial...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

