Stress and Coping Individual variability in the stress response –Amount of NE, E, CORT released –Level of CBG –# of receptors –Developmental effects on HPA axis –Perception
Developmental Effects (1) 1. In Humans (college students!) a. Score for level of maternal care received when young b. Separate out low and high maternal care receivers Count Level of Maternal Care Received as a child Histogram c. Test performance in a stressful arithmetic test Cortisol Response to stressful math test low maternal carehigh maternal care cortisol
Low maternal care High maternal care From hippocampus cortisol ACTH CRH hypothalamus pituitary adrenals STRESS AXIS Developmental Effects (2): study in rats
Developmental Effects (3): long-term consequences Cold Pressor Test (in children) minutes cortisol Normal response Hyper-responsive Developed heart disease as an adult? 70 % 20%