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Neuroendocrine Abnormalities in Drug Abusers and HIV-Infected Individuals: Cortisol Response to Cold Pressor Challenge

Year: 2006

Type: article

Abstract: Although endocrine abnormalities have been reported in HIV-1 infection, the role of risk factors is not understood. Injecting drug use (IDU) is an important risk factor for contracting HIV-infection and studies suggest that substance use may also be associated with endocrine dysfunction. In order to investigate hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis activity in this population, this study investigated cortisol response to the cold pressor challenge in IDUs with and without HIV infection. After controlling for the effects of gender, duration of marijuana use and time since the last use of heroin, the findings show that the pattern of cortisol response depended upon HIV serostatus. Cortisol levels peaked later in HIV+ IDUs and recovered at a slower rate than HIV negative IDUs. These findings support our hypothesis that dysregulation in HPA axis activity occurs in HIV infected IDUs.

Source: American Journal of Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.3844/ajidsp.2006.136.140

Authors: Mahendra Kumar, Drenna Waldrop-Va, Adarsh M. Kumar

Institution: University of Miami

Language: English

Topic: Stress Responses and Cortisol

Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institutes of Health