The effects of anticipated challenge on indices of diurnal cortisol secretion in recreational users of ecstasy

Abstract

Stress Test (TSST) was administered to induce an endocrine stress response. Both tests were administered at study inclusion, after 8 weeks, and 1-year follow up. Relations between stress hormone responses and reward learningwere separately probed inMDDand control subjects. Further, we evaluated whether HPA axis dysregulation predicted reward responsiveness at follow up in MDD. Results: At baseline, a negative correlation between ACTH release and reward learning emerged among depressed women (R2 =0.23, F=7.91, p=0.009). Conversely, among depressed women, blunted baseline ACTH sensitivity predicted reduced reward learning ability one year later (R2 =0.18, F=5.0, p=0.04). Conclusions: Among depressed women, potentiated ACTH release in response to TSST was associated with reduced reward learning. In addition, HPA dysregulation prospectively predicted blunted reward learning one year later making the current finding the first prospective evidence that HPA dysregulation predicts blunted reward learning ability in MDD over time.