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Correlation between anxiety and serum prolactin in humans
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Social confinement in humans can alter stress hormones like cortisol and prolactin, influencing behavior. This study found correlations between anxiety, endocrine changes, and social dominance in confined men.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Social Psychology
- Primate Behavior
Background:
- Primate social structures significantly influence individual behavior.
- Social interactions in confined male talapoin monkeys can induce endocrine changes, subsequently modifying behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if similar endocrine changes and behavioral modifications occur in confined human volunteers.
- To explore the relationship between social interaction, endocrine status, and behavior in humans.
Main Methods:
- Five male volunteers were confined to a boat for 14 days.
- Plasma samples were collected for testosterone, prolactin, and cortisol assays.
- Participants completed anxiety questionnaires, and their dominance/aggression was secretly ranked.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between daily fluctuations in anxiety and the stress hormones cortisol and prolactin.
- Plasma prolactin and testosterone levels correlated significantly with the rank position for dominance and aggression.
Conclusions:
- Social interaction can modify endocrine status in humans under specific circumstances.
- Findings suggest a link between social dynamics, hormonal changes, and behavior in confined human groups.