Sensitivity of Short and Long Allele Carriers of the 5-HTTLPR to Environmental Threat Post Hydrocortisone Administration

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2014-11-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The current study will test the causal relationship between elevated levels of cortisol and the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) as these factors influence sensitivity to environmental threat. The investigators predict that carriers of the short allele of the serotonin transporter gene who have elevated cortisol levels will be most sensitive to threatening environments, whereas carriers of the long allele who do not have elevated cortisol (placebo subjects) will be least sensitive.

• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin
• Treatments: Cortisol succinate; Hydrocortisone; Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate; Hydrocortisone acetate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• None

Exclusion Criteria:

• Are you under the age of 18 years old?

• Have you ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone?

• Do you have diabetes or high blood pressure?

• Do you have any thyroid, liver, heart, lung, or kidney problems?

• Do you have herpes, HIV or any sexual transmitted disease?

• Are you currently pregnant or think you might be pregnant? Have you taken RU486, Plan B or "Morning After Pill" within the last 2 weeks? - Are you currently breastfeeding?

• Have you been sick within the last week? Do you have any fungal infections?

• Have you been exposed to measles or chicken pox in the last week?

• Have you ever had a seizure?

• Do you have any disease of bony tissue, such as osteoporosis?

• Do you have any autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis?

• Do you have multiple sclerosis?

• Do you have any condition that compromises you immune system function or causes you to be more likely to get sick?

• Have you had any recent surgeries?

• Do you have and gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers, diverticulitis, colitis, hepatitis, or Crohn disease?

• Are you taking any of the following medications: nevirapine, telbivudine, sipuleucel-T (IV), natalizumab (IV)?

• Have you received any vaccinations within the last week?

• With the exception of vitamins, have you taken any medications in the last 3 days, including all over-the counter medications and/or supplements (e,g. Tylenol, ibuprofen, St. John's Wort, cold remedies)?

• Do you currently have or have you had in the past of any kind of cancer?

• Do you have any significant medical or psychiatric illnesses not listed above?