3.2.2 Cortisol

• What type of hormone is cortisol?

  Steroid
• What is the chemical formula for cortisol?

  $C_{21}H_{30}O_{5}$
• High levels of cortisol are associated with increased aggression, anxiety, and impaired cognitive function
• Low levels of cortisol are associated with reduced stress tolerance.
• Steps in the physiological pathway of cortisol release

  1️⃣ Hypothalamus detects stress and releases CRH

  2️⃣ Pituitary gland is stimulated by CRH to release ACTH

  3️⃣ Adrenal cortex is triggered by ACTH to produce cortisol
• What is the name of the physiological pathway involved in cortisol release?

  HPA axis
• One function of cortisol is to mobilize energy stores by increasing blood glucose
• High levels of cortisol can lead to Cushing's syndrome.
• Which gland produces cortisol?

  Adrenal cortex
• What hormone does the hypothalamus release to initiate cortisol release?

  CRH
• What type of hormone is cortisol?

  Steroid
• The release of cortisol is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• High cortisol levels are associated with increased aggression.
• What is the chemical formula for cortisol?

  $C_{21}H_{30}O_{5}$
• The hypothalamus detects stress and releases corticotropin-releasing hormone
• Cortisol suppresses inflammation to protect tissues during stress.
• Match the cortisol level with its effect on aggression:

  High ↔️ Increased aggression

  Low ↔️ Decreased aggression
• Which study found lower cortisol levels in individuals with ASPD?

  van Honk et al. (2003)
• Cortisol's role in regulating stress response is mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• High cortisol reactivity is associated with heightened anxiety.
• What does high cortisol reactivity to stress indicate in an individual?

  More cortisol production
• High cortisol reactivity increases the likelihood of reactive aggression.
• Individuals with high cortisol reactivity are more prone to heightened anxiety
• What does low cortisol reactivity to stress indicate in an individual?

  Less cortisol production
• Low cortisol reactivity reduces the likelihood of aggressive reactions.
• Low cortisol reactivity can lead to emotional apathy due to reduced stress response
• What are the three main influences on cortisol reactivity differences?

  Genetics, early childhood, stress
• Understanding cortisol reactivity helps in predicting and managing aggression-related behaviors.
• High cortisol levels can increase aggression in cases like PTSD
• Why do low cortisol levels increase aggression in ASPD?

  Reduced stress response
• Match the mental disorder with its typical cortisol level and impact on aggression:

  ASPD ↔️ Low cortisol, increased reactive aggression

  PTSD ↔️ High cortisol, increased proactive and reactive aggression

  Depression ↔️ Varied cortisol, increased irritability
• The relationship between cortisol and aggression varies depending on the mental disorder.
• What are the three primary methods for measuring cortisol levels?

  Blood, saliva, urine tests
• Blood tests for cortisol use blood plasma
• What is a disadvantage of using saliva tests to measure cortisol levels?

  Lower cortisol concentration
• Cortisol concentrations in blood tests are reported in micrograms per deciliter.
• Cortisol's chemical formula is C_{21}H_{30}O_{5}
• Match the cortisol level with its effects:

  High cortisol ↔️ Increased aggression, anxiety

  Low cortisol ↔️ Decreased aggression, apathy
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is involved in cortisol release.
• Steps in the HPA axis and cortisol release

  1️⃣ Hypothalamus releases CRH

  2️⃣ Pituitary gland releases ACTH

  3️⃣ Adrenal cortex produces cortisol