Chronic stress affects more than fertility, Magee-Womens study finds.(Brief Article)

2002 JUL 18 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol are clearly elevated in child-bearing-aged women who have stopped menstruating - not only in the bloodstream, but also in the cerebrospinal fluid, a senior researcher at the Magee-Womens Research Institute has found. The study is significant because it shows a definitive link between cortisol levels in circulating blood and those in the fluid that surrounds and bathes the brain and spinal cord.

"In fact, cortisol levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are even higher than in the circulating bloodstream," said Sarah Berga, MD, a professor in the departments of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a senior investigator at Magee-Womens Research Institute. "This is really important because cortisol is neurotoxic."

Benedetta Brundu, an obstetrics and gynecology resident in Padua, Italy, who participated in a research exchange program in Berga's Pittsburgh laboratory, presented the study findings at the 84th annual meeting of the Endocrine Society.

"This is one of these 'Why treat stress?' stories," said Berga, senior study author, who is also ...