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Relationships Among Plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Cortisol Levels, Symptoms of Dissociation, and Objective Performance in Humans Exposed to Acute Stress
Charles A. Morgan III, MD, MA;
Steve Southwick, MD;
Gary Hazlett, PsyD;
Ann Rasmusson, MD;
Gary Hoyt, PhD;
Zoran Zimolo, MD;
Dennis Charney, MD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2004;61:819-825.
Context Recently, a growing body of research has provided evidence that dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is involved in an organism's response to stress and that it may provide beneficial behavioral and neurotrophic effects.
Objective To investigate plasma DHEA-S and cortisol levels, psychological symptoms of dissociation, and military performance.
Design Prospective study.
Setting and Participants Twenty-five healthy subjects enrolled in military survival school.
Results The DHEA-S–cortisol ratios during stress were significantly higher in subjects who reported fewer symptoms of dissociation and exhibited superior military performance.
Conclusions These data provide prospective, empirical evidence that the DHEA-S level is increased by acute stress in healthy humans and that the DHEA-S–cortisol ratio may index the degree to which an individual is buffered against the negative effects of stress.
From the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans Affairs New England Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn (Drs Morgan, Southwick, Rasmusson, and Zimolo); the Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (Drs Morgan, Southwick, Rasmusson, Hoyt, and Zimolo); the Psychological Applications Directorate, John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Training Center and School, Fort Bragg, NC (Dr Hazlett); the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md (Dr Charney); and Fleet Aviation Special Operations Training Group Pacific Navy Site 2, Naval Air Station, North Island, Coronado, Calif (Dr Hoyt).
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