W3: Measuring Hormones

Question 1

The negative feedback loop is responsible for

Answer 1

Regulating hormones

Question 2

Controlling hormone - NE Feedback loop

Circulating hormones are monitored

Answer 2

By the brain (hypothalamus)

Question 3

In the negative feedback loop

If levels of hormones below setpoint/threshold

Answer 3

Increases the release of hormones

Question 4

In the negative feedback loop

If levels of hormones are above setpoint/threshold

Answer 4

Decreased release of hormones

Question 5

There is fluctuation of HPA activity

Answer 5

throughout the day

Question 6

Fluctuation of HPA activity throughout the day provides energy to body regardless of

Answer 6

stress

Question 7

Fluctuation in HPA activity throughout the day

Increased cortisol in the morning and then

Answer 7

traila off throughout the day

Question 8

Fluctuations in HPA axis throughout the day

Natural release of cortisol is regulated by the

Answer 8

superchiasmatic nucleus

Question 9

Superchiamastic nucleus (SCN) is located in

Answer 9

hypothalamus

Question 10

The superchaismatic nucleus is responsible for

Answer 10

Controlling the circadian rhythm/biological clock

Question 11

HPA axis increases activity during stress which disrupts the

Answer 11

diurnal (daily) cortisol curve

Question 12

Physiological influence of stress

Inital stress response engages the SAM axis which… (3)

Answer 12

• Increases heart rate
• Releases epinephrine/norepinephrine (i.e., adrenaline)
• This is a short-term stress response

Question 13

Physiological influence of stress

What if the SAM activity does not fade? (2)

Answer 13

• The stressor is more intense than atnicipated
• Body needs to engage in long-term stress response (HPA axis)

Question 14

During early stress response, HPA is excited by (2) - hormones

Answer 14

• Epinephrine
• Norepinephrine

Question 15

Once HPA axis is engaged, hormones such as cortisol , epinephrine and norepinephrine have

Answer 15

inhibitory effects on HPA axis to maintain setpoint for stress response

Question 16

Norepinephrine is excitatory and inhibitory? (2)

Answer 16

• Different effects on glutamate (excitation) and GABA (inhibition) neurons in the hypothalamus
• Norepinephrine effects differ based on the presence of cortisol

Question 17

Issues with measuring hormones

Since hormones are constantly fluctuating, how do we know if our

Answer 17

Manipulations are responsible for this fluctuation

Question 18

Since hormones are constantly fluctuating, how do we know if our manipulations are responsible?

Overcome? (2)

Answer 18

Possibly control for confounding variables

Be aware of constant potential influences

Question 19

Addressing an issue that hormones fluctuate constantly

(2)

Answer 19

• Record and control for time of study
• Run studies at consistent time each day

Question 20

Run studies at a consistent time each day to address issue of hormones fluctuating

When is it best to run study? (4)

Answer 20

• Studies run in the afternoon have stronger effect
• Since hormone at physiological ceiling in the morning
• There is individual differences affect morning hormone levels
• So best to run in the afternoon

Question 21

Issue with measuring hormones

Biological influences on hormones problem (3)

Answer 21

• Sex hormones flctuate based on menstrual cycle
• Presence of these hormone vary based on phase of menstrual cycle
• Estrogen has downstream effects on other hormones

Question 22

Biological influences on hormones problem - menstrual cycle

How to overcome? (4)

Answer 22

• Record and control for menstrual cycle
  
  • Ask of date of last menstruation
  • Ask for the average cycle length
• Test women only in one particular stage of the cycle

Question 23

Issues with measuring hormones

Other factors that influence hormones levels are (4)

Answer 23

• Prescription drugs (e.g., contraception)
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Antidepressants
• Etc..

Question 24

How do we assess hormones (3)

Answer 24

• Saliva
• Blood
• Brain (Cerebrospinal fluid)

Question 25

What are the two types of hormones? (2)

Answer 25

* Steriod hormones * Non-steriod hormones

Question 26

Steroid hormones are produced in

Answer 26

* adrenals, ovaries (in women) and testes (in men)

Question 27

Steriod hormones propertieis Cross cell membrane, effiectiveness (2)

Answer 27

* Cross cell membrane freely without resistence * More effective, very robust than non-steriod hormones

Question 28

Non-steriod hormone are

Answer 28

Peptide or protein-like hormones ; short chains of amino acids

Question 29

Non-steriod hormone Crossing cell membrane and effectiveness (2)

Answer 29

Cannot cross cell membrane, indirect effects on cell activity Less effective

Question 30

Steriod hormones are

Answer 30

stable, hard to break down

Question 31

Steriod hormones are detectable in blood and saliva! Which means.. (2)

Answer 31

* Steriod hormones are relatively consistent across these collection methods * Saliva methods are preferred due to ease

Question 32

Example of a steriod hormone (3)

Answer 32

* Cortisol * Testosterone * Progesterone

Question 33

Non-steriod hormones (peptides) breakdown (2) + stability in samples

Answer 33

* Break down easily so they are quickly metabolised in the body * Because of this they are difficult to stabilise when they are sampled

Question 34

Nonsteroid hormones are not detectable in saliva (2)

Answer 34

* Inconsistent across collection methods * Need to measure via blood :(

Question 35

Example of non-steriod hormones (peptides) - (3)

Answer 35

* Epinephrine * Melatonin * Insulin

Question 36

Assessing salivary hormones Sample collections requires

Answer 36

pure sample with no contaiminants (e.g blood, food)

Question 37

Assessing salivary hormones it is refrain from

Answer 37

eating, brushing teeth 1 hour before the study

Question 38

Assessing salivary hormones Pps given several samples throughout the study such as (3)

Answer 38

* Baseline * After task * Recovery

Question 39

Method to collect and assess salivry hormones Passive drool collection

Answer 39

the saliva is allowed to pool at the bottom of the mouth and then eased into the collection device

Question 40

When do you assess salivary hormones? (2)

Answer 40

* Several intervals throughout study to track fluctations * Endocrine system is slow so takes 15-20 minutes to detect salivary hormones - delayed assessment of them

Question 41

Storing salivary hormones (3)

Answer 41

* After sealing the tube * Place in freezer * Samples kept in -20 degrees celsius and last to up to a year

Question 42

Processing salivary hormones (3)

Answer 42

* Repeatedly thaw and freeze samples to break down saliva * Spin in centrifuge to separate watery bits from coarse bits * Separated bits tested with an assay - measures amount of chemical present in the saliva sample

Question 43

Evaluating salivary hormones Advantage as the steriod hormones are

Answer 43

easy to access via saliva

Question 44

Evaluating salivary hormones Limited to

Answer 44

hormones (steriods) which make to saliva

Question 45

Alternative methods to saliva (3)

Answer 45

* Metabolites of nonsteroid/peptide hormones in urine * Experimental manipulations of hormones via nasal spray * Assess hormone levels in blood (ethical issue)

Question 46

Evaluating salivary hormones - disadvantage Delayed response in detection of hormones (3)

Answer 46

* Assesses that biological stress occured but not sure when * There is also individual differences in the endocrine system

Question 47

Delayed response in detection of hormones - more efficient and immediate way to assess HPA axis is through

Answer 47

* Cardiovascular system