Neuroendocrinology and Neuroimmunology
Author: Verónica Zabaletta | Email: vzabaletta@gmail.com
Verónica Zabaletta1°2°, Hernan Lopez-Morales1°2°,Andrea Crupkin3°, Lucas Rodrigo Lombardero3°, Julieta Sosa1°, Gastón Fernando Irtuburu3°, Carla Kurkla4°, Mirta Menonne3°, Marcela Lopez1°
1° Instituto de Psicología Básica Aplicada y Tecnología (CONICET – UNMDP)
2° Facultad de Psicología – Universidad Atlantida Argentina
3° Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (CONICET – UNMDP)
4° Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales – UNMDP
Stress is defined as the perceived balance or imbalance between demands and available resources, leading to maladaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns, as well as biological effects on neuroimmunoendocrine, genetic, and epigenetic biomarkers. This study explores the relationships between psychosocial stress indicators, the functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and biomarkers related to stress, oxidative damage, and cellular genotoxicity. The sample included adults experiencing psychosocial stress (n=19) referred by mental health professionals, alongside a reference group (n=19). No significant differences were observed between the groups in the cortisol circadian slope (p=.762). Additionally, the mean values of malondialdehyde and catalase activity—both indicators of stress and oxidative damage—were statistically similar (p=.271; p=.258). Genotoxicity values also showed no significant differences (p=.839). The findings do not support an association between maladaptive cognitive and behavioral patterns and the analyzed biomarkers. These results challenge traditional dichotomous stress models, suggesting a multidimensional approach that includes a continuum of cognitive and behavioral states from well-being to affective disorders, considering implications across various levels of analysis: genetic/epigenetic, psychoneuroendocrine, cognitive, and behavioral.