Wirtz

Fakultäten » Philosophische Fakultät » Psychologisches Institut » Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie » Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ehlert » Wirtz

Completed research project

Title / Titel	Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning in systemic hypertension: cortisol response to awakening and negative feedback sensitivity
PDF	Abstract (PDF, 14 KB)
Summary / Zusammenfassung	The end-product of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis, the endogenous glucocorticoid cortisol has been associated with hypertension. Whereas it is widely accepted that glucocorticoids can contribute to the development of hypertension findings on HPA activity and functioning in clinical hypertension are inconsistent. The objective of our study was to explore HPA activity and feedback sensitivity in a sample of unmedicated hypertensive and normotensive men. We measured salivary free cortisol responses to awakening and collected circadian cortisol profiles. The CAR was determined twice once with and once without the dexamethasone suppression test.
Publications / Publikationen	Wirtz, P.H., Von Känel, R., Emini, L., Ruedisueli, K., Groessbauer, S., Maercker, A.,& Ehlert, U. (revised manuscript under review). Cortisol response to awakening and negative feedback sensitivity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in systemic hypertension.
Keywords / Suchbegriffe	Systemic hypertension, HPA axis, dexamethasone suppression test, cortisol awakening response, salivary cortisol
Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte	Dr. Petra Wirtz (Project Leader) p.wirtz@psychologie.uzh.ch Prof. Dr. Ulrike Ehlert u.ehlert@psychologie.uzh.ch
Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch	Forschungskredit der Universität Zürich
In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit	Prof. Dr. Roland von Känel (Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Berne) Switzerland
Duration of Project / Projektdauer	Dec 2003 to Dec 2004