Stress induced cortisol release and schizotypy

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Cortisol plays a key role in the body's stress response.
• Abnormal cortisol release post-stress is linked to mental health risks.
• The impact of stress on psychosis proneness and schizotypy requires further understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of psychosocial stress on cortisol release in healthy individuals with schizotypal traits.
• To examine how stress impacts cortisol levels in relation to psychosis proneness.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 58 healthy adults with varying levels of schizotypal traits.
• Utilized the Trier Social Stress Test for experimental psychosocial stress induction.
• Measured salivary cortisol at six time points before and after stress, assessing schizotypy via the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Individuals with high schizotypal traits had higher baseline cortisol levels (5.18 nmol/L vs 3.71 nmol/L).
• High schizotypy was associated with reduced mean cortisol release (2.02 nmol/L vs 5.11 nmol/L) post-stress.
• A delayed cortisol peak was observed in individuals with high schizotypal traits following stress.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with high schizotypal traits exhibit blunted and delayed cortisol responses to psychosocial stress.
• This suggests a potentially compromised stress system in individuals with high schizotypal traits.
• Findings indicate a lack of physiological readiness to cope with stressors in this population.