Early posttraumatic autonomic and endocrine markers to predict posttraumatic stress symptoms after a preventive intervention with oxytocin
Engel S, van Zuiden M, Frijling JL, Koch SB, Nawijn L, Yildiz RLW, Schumacher S, Knaevelsrud C, Bosch JA, Veltman DJ, Olff M (2020)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Book Volume: 11
Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1761622
Abstract
Background
Efficient prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) needs to target individuals with an increased risk for adverse outcome after trauma. Prognostic or prescriptive biological markers assessed early posttrauma may inform personalized treatment recommendations.
Objective
To test prognostic and prescriptive effects of early (posttraumatic) autonomic and endocrine markers on PTSD symptom development.
Method
Autonomic and endocrine markers were assessed within 12 days posttrauma and before treatment initiation within a randomized placebo-controlled trial investigating repeated oxytocin administration as preventive intervention for PTSD. Linear mixed effects models were used to test the effects of heart rate (variability), resting cortisol, morning cortisol and cortisol awakening response (CAR), cortisol suppression by dexamethasone and resting oxytocin on PTSD symptoms 1.5, 3 and 6 months posttrauma in men (n = 54), women using hormonal contraception (n = 27) and cycling women (n = 19).
Results
We found significant prognostic effects of resting oxytocin and cortisol suppression. In women using hormonal contraception, higher oxytocin was associated with higher PTSD symptoms across follow-up. Stronger cortisol suppression by dexamethasone, reflecting increased glucocorticoid receptor feedback sensitivity, was associated with lower PTSD symptoms across follow-up in men, but with higher symptoms at 1.5 months in women using hormonal contraception. These effects were independent of treatment condition. No further significant prognostic or prescriptive effects were detected.
Conclusion
Our exploratory study indicates that resting oxytocin and glucocorticoid receptor feedback sensitivity early posttrauma are associated with subsequent PTSD symptom severity. Notably, prognostic effects depended on sex and hormonal contraception use, emphasizing the necessity to consider these factors in biomedical PTSD research.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Freie Universität Berlin
Germany (DE)
University of Amsterdam
Netherlands (NL)
Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) / Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra
Netherlands (NL)
Germany (DE)
University of Amsterdam
Netherlands (NL)
Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) / Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra
Netherlands (NL)
How to cite
APA:
Engel, S., van Zuiden, M., Frijling, J.L., Koch, S.B., Nawijn, L., Yildiz, R.L.W.,... Olff, M. (2020). Early posttraumatic autonomic and endocrine markers to predict posttraumatic stress symptoms after a preventive intervention with oxytocin. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 11. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1761622
MLA:
Engel, Sinha, et al. "Early posttraumatic autonomic and endocrine markers to predict posttraumatic stress symptoms after a preventive intervention with oxytocin." European Journal of Psychotraumatology 11 (2020).
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