Showing 8 results for Cortisol
Hamed Aliyari, Masoomeh Kazemi, Elaheh Tekieh, Maryam Salehi, Hedayat Sahraei, Mohammad Reza Daliri, Hassan Agaei, Behroz Minaei, Reza Lashgari, Nahid Srahian, Mohammad Mehdi Hadipour, Mostafa Salehi, Asghar Ranjbar Aghdam,
Volume 6, Issue 3 (7-2015)
Abstract
Introduction: Computer games have attracted remarkable attentions in general publics with
different cultures and their effects are subject of research by cognitive neuroscientists. In the
present study, possible effects of the game Fifa 2015 on cognitive performance, hormonal levels,
and electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were evaluated in young male volunteers.
Methods: Thirty two subjects aged 20 years on average participated mutually in playing
computer game Fifa 2015. Identification information and general knowledge about the game were
collected. Saliva samples from the contestants were obtained before and after the competition.
Perceptive and cognitive performance including the general cognitive health, response delay,
attention maintenance, and mental fatigue were measured using PASAT test. EEG were recorded
during the play using EEG device and analyzed later using QEEG. Simultaneously, the players’
behavior were recorded using a video camera. Saliva cortisol levels were assessed by ELISA kit.
Data were analyzed by SPSS program.
Results: The impact of playing computer games on cortisol concentration of saliva before and
after the game showed that the amount of saliva plasma after playing the game has dropped
significantly. Also the impact of playing computer games on mental health, before and after the
game indicated that the number of correct answers has not changed significantly. This indicates
that sustained attention has increased in participants after the game in comparison with before
that. Also it is shown that mental fatigue measured by PASAT test, did not changed significantly
after the game in comparison to before that. The impact of game on changes in brain waves
showed that the subjects in high activity state during playing the game had higher power of the
EEG signals in most of the channels in lower frequency bands in compared to normal state.
Discussion: The present study showed that computer games can positively affect the stress
system and the perceptual-cognitive system. Even though this impact was not significant in most
cases, the changes in cognitive and hormonal test and also in brain waves were visible. Hence,
due to the importance of this matter, it is necessary to create control systems in selecting the types
of games for playing.
Hiwa Mohammadi, Mohammad Rezaei, Seyed Mojtaba Amiri, Zohreh Rahimi, Kamran Mansouri, Habibolah Khazaie,
Volume 9, Issue 6 (11-2018)
Abstract
Introduction: There are controversial reports about association between sleep and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) activity. Studies have reported the influence of insomnia on HPA hormones. However, they usually ignored the heterogeneity of insomnia symptoms, so subtypes of the disorder have not been considered in the reports. The present study aimed to investigate the final and intermediate products of HPA system among a group of psychophysiological and paradoxical insomniac patients in comparison to a group of normal sleepers.
Methods: We investigated the awakening serum level of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) and cortisol after one night Polysomnography (PSG) in 17 subjects with psychophysiological insomnia, 19 subjects with paradoxical insomnia and 17 subjects with normal sleep profile. Groups were matched for age and Body Mass Index (BMI). Serum levels of ACTH and cortisol were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.
Results: Although, a tendency toward elevation of both ACTH and cortisol was observed among patients with paradoxical insomnia compared to both control and psychophysiological insomnia, the differences were not significant comparing three groups. According to regression analysis, higher Non-Rapid Eye Movement sleep (NREM) arousal and Pulse Transit Time (PTT) significantly predicted higher level of ACTH.
Conclusion: These findings could suggest the personality traits hypothesis for paradoxical insomnia. Both cortical and subcortical arousal could lead to more HPA activity and higher ACTH level. Further studies are recommended to confirm the hypothesis.
Mahtab Ramezani, Phd Leila Simani, Ehsan Karimialavijeh, Omidvar Rezaei, Dr Mohammadreza Hajiesmaeili, Hossein Pakdaman,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (3-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: The outbreak due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is n global public health emergency and challenges psychological resilience. The central nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system are complex interacting systems. Cortisol has been implicated as the cause of a wide range of mental and physical health disorders; however, the impact of cortisol on outcomes in patients with COVID-19 is not clear.
Methods: The current study enrolled patients with COVID-19 (onset of disease within 7 days of the first symptom) to evaluate the serum concentration of cortisol and levels of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to investigate a possible relationship between cortisol, depression, and anxiety levels and outcomes of patients with COVID-19.
Results: A total of 30 patients with COVID-19 were studied. The levels of cortisol and HADS score in patients who died of Covid-19 were significantly higher in comparison with surviving patients (P<0.017 and P<0.001 respectively). We also found that the HADS score was positively correlated with serum cortisol levels (r= 0.842, P=0.004).
Conclusion: Our findings showed that stress and anxiety are associated with patients’ outcomes. Psychological interventions can improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Hamed Aliyari, Hedayat Sahraei, Marjan Erfani, Mohammad Mohammadi, Masoomeh Kazemi, Mohammad Reza Daliri, Behrouz Minaei-Bidgol, Hassan Agaei, Mohammad Sahraei, Seyed Mohammad Ali Seyed Hosseini, Elaheh Tekieh, Maryam Salehi, Fereshteh Farajdokht,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (5-2020)
Abstract
Introduction: This research investigated the effects of violent and football video games on cognitive functions, cortisol levels, and brain waves.
Methods: A total of 64 participants competed in a single-elimination tournament. Saliva samples of all players were obtained before and after the games for the assessment of cortisol levels. The cognitive performances of the players were also assessed by paced auditory serial addition test. Moreover, the electroencephalogram recording was conducted during the games.
Results: The results showed that salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased after playing both games. Also, playing the football game increased reaction time, whereas decreased sustained attention and mental fatigue.
Conclusion: Conversely, following playing a violent game, the reaction time decreased, and sustained attention and mental fatigue increased. Furthermore, the results of the EEG recording revealed that playing a violent game engaged more brain regions than the football game. In conclusion, playing violent game more effectively improved cognitive performances in the players than the football game.
Hamed Aliyari, Hedayat Sahraei, Sahar Golabi, Masoomeh Kazemi, Mohammad Reza Daliri, Behrouz Minaei-Bidgoli,
Volume 12, Issue 5 (9-2021)
Abstract
Introduction: Computer games as an interactive media play a significant role in the cognitive and behavioral health of the players. Computer games have either positive or negative effects on cognitive indices among players. They also directly influence the lifestyle and quality of life of children, adolescents, and young adults. The present study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of the brain teaser game on players.
Methods: Among 45 male volunteers, 40 subjects with an average age of 20 years were recruited and divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. All required tests were conducted before and after the intervention (playing the game) on the experimental group. Also, the same tests were performed on the control group, in which the participants were not allowed to play the game. All participants completed a questionnaire comprised demographic characteristics and specific information regarding the game (e.g., game style and hours spent on playing the game). The saliva samples were collected to measure levels of cortisol and α-amylase. The salivary α-amylase (sAA) and cortisol levels were analyzed using the relevant ELISA kits. The cognitive tests were performed using PASAT software before and after the game to assess the perceptual-cognitive abilities of the players. The brain waveforms were acquired by a 14-channel Emotiv brain signal recording device before and after the game. Data analysis was conducted in R and MATLAB software.
Results: PASAT test suggested that mental health and sustained attention were significantly improved after the intervention. In addition, the sAA and salivary cortisol levels were significantly higher before the intervention. The results of the brainwave analysis revealed that stress index and attention were significantly higher before the intervention.
Conclusion: Findings of the present study suggest that brain teaser games positively influence the central nervous system and activate stress path, leading to changes in brain signals and subsequently improved cognitive elements, such as attention among players.
Masoomeh Kazemi, Hamed Aliyari, Elaheh Tekieh, Hassan Tavakoli, Sahar Golabi, Hedayat Sahraei, Gholam Hossein Meftahi, Maryam Salehi, Mehdi Saberi,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: Today, humans live in a world surrounded by electromagnetic fields. Numerous studies have been conducted to discover the biological, physiological, and behavioral effects of electromagnetic fields on humans and animals. Given the biological similarities between monkeys and humans, The present research aimed to examine Visual Memory (VM), hormonal, genomic, and anatomic changes, in the male rhesus macaques exposed to an Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF-MF).
Methods: Four male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were used. For the behavioral tests, the animals should be fasting for 17 hours. For the tests such as visual memory, the animal’s cooperation was necessary. Using the radiation protocol, we exposed two monkeys to a 12-Hz electromagnetic field with a magnitude of 0.7 µT (electromagnetic radiation) four hours a day for a month. Before and after the exposure, a visual memory test was conducted using a coated device (visible reward) on a movable stand. Ten milliliters of blood was obtained from the femoral artery of each monkey, and half of it was used to examine cortisol serum levels using the MyBioSource kit (made in the USA). The other half of the blood was used to extract lymphocytes for assaying expressions of Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) genes before and after radiation using the PCR method. Anatomic studies of the amygdala were carried out based on pre- and post-radiation Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Results: Research results indicated that visual memory in male primates increased significantly after exposure to the 12-Hz frequency. Hormonal analysis at the 12-Hz frequency showed a decrease in cortisol serum levels. However, visual memory and serum cortisol levels did not change considerably in male primates in the control group. There was no considerable amygdala volumetric difference after exposure to the 12-Hz frequency. The expression of the GR genes decreased in the 12-Hz group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: In short, these results indicated that ELF might benefit memory enhancement because exposure to the 12-HZ ELF can enhance visual memory. This outcome may be due to a decrease in plasma cortisol and or expression of GR genes. Moreover, direct amygdala involvement in this regard cannot be recommended.
Hamed Aliyari, Sahar Golabi, Hedayat Sahraei, Mohammad Sahraei, Behrouz Minaei-Bidgoli, Mohammad Reza Daliri, Reza Hazrati, Hamed Tadayyoni, Masoomeh Kazemi,
Volume 14, Issue 2 (3-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Video games affect the stress system and cognitive abilities in different ways. Here, we evaluated electrophysiological and biochemical indicators of stress and assessed their effects on cognition and behavioral indexes after playing a scary video game.
Methods: Thirty volunteers were recruited into two groups as control and experimental. The saliva and blood samples were collected before and after intervention (watching/playing the scary game for control and experimental groups respectively). To measure cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels, oxytocin (OT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plasma levels, dedicated ELISA kits were used. Electroencephalography recording was done before and after interventions for electroencephalogram (EEG)-based emotion and stress recognition. Then, the feature extraction (for mental stress, arousal, and valence) was done. Matrix laboratory (MATLAB) software, version 7.0.1 was used for processing EEG-acquired data. The repeated measures were applied to determine the intragroup significance level of difference.
Results: Scary gameplay increases mental stress (P<0.001) and arousal (P<0.001) features and decreases the valence (P<0.001) one. The salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were significantly higher after the gameplay (P<0.001 for both). OT and BDNF plasma levels decreased after playing the scary game (P<0.05 for both).
Conclusion: We conclude that perceived stress considerably elevates among players of scary video games, which adversely affects the emotional and cognitive capabilities, possibly via the strength of synaptic connections, and dendritic thorn construction of the brain neurons among players.
Zahra Rezvani, Reza Khosrowabadi, Afrooz Seyedebrahimi, Golam-Hossein Meftahi, Boshra Hatef,
Volume 15, Issue 5 (9-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Acute stress over a long time period can drastically influence the behavioral and cognitive performances. Therefore, it is important to control and eliminate the stressor after a stressful event. In this regard, understanding of brain mechanism of stress release will help to introduce new practical approaches. In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in the brain's functional connectivity (FC) patterns and salivary cortisol level during stress induction and release in healthy young male adults.
Method: In this study, 20 healthy young male adults were exposed to stressful events using the Trier social stress paradigm in one session consisting of 23 minutes of psychological stress induction and 20 minutes of recovery, Their stress was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS). In addition, their salivary cortisol levels and electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded. Subsequently, brain FC maps were prepared in a frequency-specific manner. Then, the effects of inducing and releasing stress on the VAS, cortisol level, and FC were assessed.
Results: The inter-hemispheric FC of the right frontal lobes with other brain regions decreased, while the FC was increased in the left frontal lobes during the induction of stress. Interestingly, the release of stress presented a recovery pattern of inter-hemispheric FC. These changes in FC significantly correlated with changes in the cortisol level.
Conclusion: Our findings highlight the important role of bihemispheric associations in adaptation and coping with stressful conditions.
