Cortisol and chronic stress explanation

(EoH) What did Kiecolt Glaser et al (1984) find?

Natural killer cell activity less in blood sample during exams (high stress). Students also completed the SRRS to assess stressful life events, those with highest scores also had the lowest NK cell activity.

What are the 4 areas of the explanation?

1) HPA axis 2) Cortisol 3) Effects on memory 4) Effects on health

(HPAa) What are the steps of the HPA axis?

1) Hypothalamus produces corticotropin releasing hormone 2) Pituitary gland releases ACTH 3) The adrenal cortex is stimulated 4) Cortisol is released

(EoM) What did Kuhlmann et al (2005) do?

Administered cortisol to group of women who were asked to learn 30 words.

(HPAa) What does the hypothalamus produce?

corticotropin releasing hormone into the bloodstream

(HPAa) When does the HPA system take place?

At the same time as the SAM system but it is slower

(HPAa) What did Lacey et al (2000) do?

Carried out a prospective investigation in students preparing for an exam.

(HPAa) What does the corticotropin releasing hormone do?

Causes the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropin hormone

(HPAa) What did Lacey et al (2000) find?

Compared to matched control group students showed elevated cortisol levels one hour before the exam

(HPAa) What does the adrenal cortex release?

Cortisol

(EoH) What did Kiecolt Glaser et al (1984) investigate?

Effects on stress on the immune system by measuring natural killer cell activity in 75 medical students one month before exams and again during the exam period.

(EoH) What is the risk of immunosuppression?

If stress takes place over long periods of time it can put them at risk of colds, infections and gastrointestinal problems. e.g Cushings syndrome - high levels of cortisol and high risk of disease

(EoM) What can cortisol do in exams?

Impair memory

(C) What are the negative effects of cortisol?

It can effect cognitive performance, memory and lowers the immune system

(C) What does cortisol do when released in response to stress?

Lowers sensitivity too pain and releases glucose for energy over a sustained period of time, making us able to deal with ongoing stressors

(C) What is cortisol?

Steroid hormone from the glucocorticoids

(HPAa) What does the adrenocorticotropin hormone do?

Stimulates the adrenal cortex

(EoM) What did Kuhlmann find?

Those given cortisol showed significantly reduced recall of words, particularly negative words. This explains why sometimes students minds 'go blank' in exams.

(C) What is the usual function of cortisol?

To help the central nervous system with learning, memory, the immune system and glucose regulation

(EoH) What is immunosuppression?

When faced with stress, the immune system is seen as a non essential response so its energy is diverted elsewhere. Cortisol does this by reducing inflammation caused by the immune system response.