A Study on the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma, Major Depressive Disorder, and Cortisol Levels
A study published in Psychological Medicine compared individuals with major depressive disorder to healthy controls and found that those with depression exhibited higher cortisol levels after awakening than their healthy counterparts. Notably, this increase was only observed in individuals with depression who had also experienced childhood trauma.
The Role of Cortisol in the Body
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of each kidney. It plays a vital role in the body’s response to stress. When a person experiences stress, cortisol levels increase, leading to various physiological effects such as increased blood sugar levels, suppressed immune system, and enhanced metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. However, prolonged or chronic elevation of cortisol levels can have adverse effects on health, including contributing to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and immune system dysfunction.
Cortisol as a Biomarker for Major Depressive Disorder
Cortisol is also considered one of the most promising biomarkers for major depressive disorder. This mental health condition is characterized by persistent and severe feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Studies have shown that individuals with major depressive disorder often have consistently elevated levels of cortisol in their blood. Furthermore, when these individuals are injected with dexamethasone, a synthetic analogue to cortisol, their cortisol levels do not decrease as much as expected. Elevated cortisol levels are also found in individuals who do not respond well to psychotherapy.
Investigating the Impact of Childhood Trauma on Cortisol Regulation
The study’s lead author, Shabaz Sendi, and his team aimed to determine if childhood trauma could alter the endocrine system’s function, specifically its regulation of cortisol in individuals with major depressive disorder. Based on prior research, they hypothesized that post-awakening cortisol levels would be highest in individuals with both major depressive disorder and childhood trauma, and lowest in healthy individuals without any childhood trauma.
Study Design and Findings
The study involved a total of 112 participants, divided into four groups: 43 healthy participants without any childhood trauma, 26 healthy participants with childhood trauma, 15 patients with major depressive disorder without childhood trauma, and 28 patients with both major depressive disorder and childhood trauma. The participants underwent evaluations either in an inpatient clinic or at their homes. They completed depression assessments using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D 21) and a questionnaire to determine the presence or absence of childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ). Additionally, they provided five saliva samples to measure cortisol levels, with the first sample taken immediately upon waking and the subsequent four at 15-minute intervals.
The study found that demographic factors such as age, gender, and body mass index had no correlation with cortisol levels. The average waking time across the four groups was consistent.
Patients with major depressive disorder and a history of childhood trauma had higher baseline cortisol levels compared to healthy individuals both with and without childhood trauma. However, when the researchers controlled for the sex of the participants, the only significant difference in cortisol levels that remained was between individuals suffering from major depressive disorder who also had a history of childhood trauma and the group of healthy individuals without childhood trauma.
Implications and Limitations
The study’s findings contribute to the scientific understanding of the links between early experiences, cortisol production, and major depressive disorder in adulthood. However, it is important to note that the study sample size was relatively small, and the study design does not allow for any cause-and-effect inferences to be made from the findings.
The study, titled “Childhood trauma associated with increased post-awakening cortisol in major depressive disorder“, was authored by Shabaz Sendi, Susanne Fischer, Andrew Papadopoulos, Lucia Poon, Lena J. Rane, Abebaw Fekadu, Valeria Mondelli, and Anthony J. Cleare.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being |
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SDG 4: Quality Education |
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SDG 5: Gender Equality |
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1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses major depressive disorder, a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. This is directly related to SDG 3, which aims to promote good health and well-being for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
The article highlights the importance of understanding the links between childhood trauma, cortisol production, and major depressive disorder. By addressing childhood trauma and its impact on mental health, progress can be made towards reducing premature mortality from mental health conditions like major depressive disorder.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 3.4.3: Proportion of the population with depression and/or anxiety disorders.
The article discusses major depressive disorder, which falls under the category of depression disorders. Measuring the proportion of the population with depression can provide an indicator of progress towards promoting mental health and well-being.
4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being |
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Source: psypost.org
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