Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Collecting Hair Samples for Hair Cortisol Analysis in African Americans
Published on: June 10, 2018
Relationship between hair cortisol concentrations and depressive symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease
Yekta Dowlati1, Nathan Herrmann, Walter Swardfager
1Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada.
Objective:
Concentrations of cortisol in hair, a novel marker of longer-term cortisol status, were compared in depressed versus nondepressed patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods:
20 mg hair samples of 3 cm length were collected from 121 patients attending a cardiac rehabilitation program, 34 of whom suffered from depressive symptoms.
Results:
Controlling for age, gender, coronary artery bypass grafting, history of depression, and time since most recent acute coronary syndrome, cortisol concentrations (P = 0.162) did not predict severity of depression. Younger age (P = 0.003) was a significant predictor of depressive symptoms. Perceived stress was not associated with long-term cortisol concentrations (P = 0.161).
Conclusions:
Cortisol concentrations in hair do not predict depressive symptoms in CAD patients attending cardiac rehabilitation.
Related Concept Videos
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Depression: Overview
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

