Endocrine aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder and implications for diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious, multisystem disorder with multiple medical comorbidities. This article reviews the current literature on the endocrine aspects of PTSD, specifically hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis alterations indicative of low cortisol and increased glucocorticoid sensitivity, and the proposed mechanisms whereby these alterations increase risk or reflect pathophysiology. Discussion includes novel treatment innovations and directions for future research.

Keywords: Cortisol; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Stress; Sympathetic.