This meta-analysis reviews 208 laboratory studies of acute psychological stressors and tests a theoretical model delineating conditions capable of eliciting cortisol responses. Psychological stressors increased cortisol levels; however, effects varied widely across tasks. Consistent with the theoretical model, motivated performance tasks elicited cortisol responses if they were uncontrollable or characterized by social-evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others), when methodological factors and other stressor characteristics were controlled for. Tasks containing both uncontrollable and social-evaluative elements were associated with the largest cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone changes and the longest times to recovery. These findings are consistent with the animal literature on the physiological effects of uncontrollable social threat and contradict the belief that cortisol is responsive to all types of stressors.

http://anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/media/Course_files/anth-260-edward-h-hagen/acute-stressors-and-cortisol-responses-a-theoretical-integration-and-synthesis-of-laboratory-research-1.pdf

Acute stressors and cortisol responses: a theoretical integration and synthesis of laboratory research.

https://bic.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/Rossi_09_TMS%20safety%20review.pdf

Safety, ethical considerations, and application guidelines for the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in clinical practice and research

The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire

http://www.smhc.org.cn/uploadfiles/2014/09/20140929090442442.pdf

A Meta-Analysis of Cytokines in Major Depression

Emotion and Adaptation

Exploration of the awakening cortisol response in relation to diurnal cortisol secretory activity.

Association between time of awakening and diurnal cortisol secretory activity.

The diurnal patterns of the adrenal steroids cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in relation to awakening.

Purified tribulin, an endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, has been identified by direct probe insertion mass spectrometry as the indole-2,3-dione, isatin. A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay for isatin has been developed and used to measure its relatively high concentrations in unpurified human urine, and in rat heart and brain. Isatin is a known compound with a broad range of biological activity; this is the first report of its presence in the animal body. Isatin is a potent inhibitor of MAO, particularly of MAO B (IC50, 3 microM), and also binds to central benzodiazepine receptors (IC50 against clonazepam, 123 microM).

Angela Clow

Papers

Exploration of the awakening cortisol response in relation to diurnal cortisol secretory activity.

Association between time of awakening and diurnal cortisol secretory activity.

The diurnal patterns of the adrenal steroids cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in relation to awakening.

Isatin: Identity with the Purified Endogenous Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Tribulin

Psychological stress reactivity and future health and disease outcomes: A systematic review of prospective evidence