Chou Chia-Ying, La Marca Roberto, Steptoe Andrew, Brewin Chris R
Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Psychology Institute, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestrasse 14/Box 26, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Biol Psychol. 2014 Dec;103:135-43. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2014.08.002. Epub 2014 Aug 20.
Evidence suggests that previous trauma reduces the cortisol response to subsequent stressors. We examined the relation of this response to intrusive memory, and the potential moderating roles of sympathetic reactions. Pre-existing trauma-related factors and the cardiac defense response were assessed before 58 healthy participants viewed a trauma film. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (sAA) were collected pre-, peri- and post-film. Intrusive memories about the film were recorded for a week. Cortisol increased whereas sAA decreased after the film. Those with more recent traumatic experiences and greater subclinical PTSD symptoms had lower cortisol concentration post-film. Lower cortisol levels predicted greater vividness of intrusions. Positive correlations between cortisol and the frequency of intrusion were only present among individuals with more sympathetic activations. These findings suggest the contribution of insufficient cortisol secretion to over-consolidation of traumatic memory, and highlight the variation attributable to individual differences and different memory characteristics.
有证据表明，既往创伤会降低对后续应激源的皮质醇反应。我们研究了这种反应与侵入性记忆的关系，以及交感神经反应的潜在调节作用。在58名健康参与者观看创伤影片之前，评估了预先存在的创伤相关因素和心脏防御反应。在影片播放前、播放期间和播放后收集唾液皮质醇和α-淀粉酶（sAA）。记录了为期一周的关于该影片的侵入性记忆。影片播放后皮质醇增加而sAA减少。近期有更多创伤经历和更严重亚临床创伤后应激障碍症状的参与者，影片播放后的皮质醇浓度较低。较低的皮质醇水平预示着侵入性记忆更生动。皮质醇与侵入频率之间的正相关仅出现在交感神经激活较多的个体中。这些发现表明皮质醇分泌不足对创伤记忆过度巩固的作用，并突出了个体差异和不同记忆特征所导致的变化。
