Project Summary

Linda Carpenter, M.D., (Independent Investigator 2006) of Butler Hospital, Brown University, has been studying the HPA stress response in healthy subjects, as research suggests that abnormally high or low levels of HPA axis hormones are also found in the blood, urine, saliva and spinal fluid of people with Major Depression or anxiety disorders. Abnormal stress regulation is a key biological feature associated with Major Depression. The human stress response system is comprised of a series of connections between the emotional “limbic” circuits in the brain, and structure in the brain and body (e.g., the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands or HPA axis). Dr. Carpenter has recently begun collecting data on healthy adults with an abnormal HPA hormone stress response and now proposes to continue this work by following up with the subjects 1 year later to determine their health outcomes. Her initial data suggested that moderate to severe childhood abuse or neglect was associated with an abnormally low HPA hormone response in relation to a psychosocial stressor (in this case a public speech role-play session). She hopes to determine the clinical significance of the groups identified as at risk, and collect data to determine if the HPA hormone response patterns predict adverse mental health outcomes.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS

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