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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Aug;36(7):970-80.
doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.12.009. Epub 2011 Jan 26.

Hydrocortisone suppression of the fear-potentiated startle response and posttraumatic stress disorder

Mark W Miller  1 , Ann E McKinney, Fredrick S Kanter, Kristina J Korte, William R Lovallo
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Hydrocortisone suppression of the fear-potentiated startle response and posttraumatic stress disorder

Mark W Miller et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

This study examined the effects of oral administration of 20mg hydrocortisone on baseline and fear-potentiated startle in 63 male veterans with or without PTSD. The procedure was based on a two-session, within-subject design in which acoustic startle eyeblink responses were recorded during intervals of threat or no threat of electric shock. Results showed that the magnitude of the difference between startle responses recorded during anticipation of imminent shock compared to "safe" periods was reduced after hydrocortisone administration relative to placebo. This effect did not vary as a function of PTSD group nor were there were any significant group differences in other indices startle amplitude. Findings suggest that the acute elevations in systemic cortisol produced by hydrocortisone administration may have fear-inhibiting effects. This finding may have implications for understanding the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis function in vulnerability and resilience to traumatic stress.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram of the experimental procedure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Startle amplitude by block, threat condition, and PTSD group. Bars represent mean blink amplitude during habituation versus fear-potentiated startle periods (FPS) across the three blocks of the procedure. The figure depicts the general diminution of the startle response over the course of the experiment and a significant effect of threat condition. The latter indicates that startle blink amplitudes were greater during FPS periods compared to habituation trials when no shock threat was present.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Fear potentiation by drug during Blocks 2 and 3.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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