Cortisone Capsules and Levels of Cortisol - Essay Example

CONTENT Cortisone capsules produce the same effects short and long-term memory in all individuals, including individuals that report having high levels of stress more often than others? The research article in question focuses on the high levels of stress and the effects on memory when cortical hormones are elevated. The article was published on sciencedaily.com and featured a research study that consisted of 51 individuals half male and half female. These individuals were given low dose of cortisol with women receiving a higher dose than men. The study found that individuals given a higher dose of cortisol did worse with recalling paragraphs researchers used to assess the individual’s memory. However the study fails to assess the individuals stress levels before the research study began. Some individuals are more susceptible to stresses than others. Individuals that are often stressed may have built up some form of a tolerance enabling them to work better under the stress and elevated cortisol than others. Further limitations of this study include the small sample size. In addition the research study does not determine the possible long term effects of individuals administered cortisone and the effects on the memory. Although the research demonstrated that individuals given higher doses (in this situation specifically women) were shown to have a decrease in short term memory the research does not assess the dose given and possible variables that could alter the results. Among these variables are certain psychological conditions such as anxiety, clinical depression, schizophrenia and thyroid problems. All of these psychological conditions can alter the way the individual perceives the stresses associated with high cortisone levels. Researchers also fail to establish if participants are taking medication. Medication can affect the way cortisol effects the participants. In order to address these limitations in the study I proposed a further research be done in the form of a new study. I hypothesize that cortisol will decrease immediate memory performance but will yield long term memory increases for neutral stimuli. In this study the dependent variables is the cortisol the participant received. The independent variable will be the dosage of cortisol that was administered to the participant dependent upon the group (15mgs, 20mgs, 25mgs, 30mgs). Participants will be measured in 8x2 groups of 20 in two different conditions. One group will view fifty non-emotive pictures. The second group will be read a detailed story. The groups will be further divided into groups of ten through random assignment. When the participant takes the test is dependent upon which group of ten the participant is in. The first group of ten will be administered the test after twenty minutes. The second group will be asked to return in approximately one week in order to take the test. All participants will sign a consent form in order to maintain their autonomy. This study will attempt to maintain beneficence to all participants. However a minimal number of participants may have a bad experience with the administration/effects of cortisol. In order to ensure the safety of all participants’ doctors will be present to administer androgens or phentyoins that are shown to decrease the level of cortisol at a fast rate (Cortisol level, n.d.). This measure is taken to decrease the amount of harm that can occur should a participant have a bad reaction. However negative reactions are not anticipated as cortisol is a naturally occurring hormone. This experiment will maintain varicosity and justice in order to ensure everyone is treated fairly. Based upon these principles this research experiment is deemed ethical. METHODS PARTICIPANTS The participants in the research will be first year undergraduate psychology students. The participants will include students residing on campus and students that commute to campus. Males and females will be equally distributed in the study. Participants will range in age between 18-25. The total population (N) will equal 320 participants. Participants will be divided into two groups Story and Item (N=160). Each participant will be randomly assigned to a group (40 in each) for a total of 8 groups. Groups will be further differentiated by the dosage of cortisol received (15, 20, 25, 30 mgs). Table 1.1. Diagrams the break-up of the groups. TABLE 1.1 Makeups of Groups in Study Based Upon Category Groups will be further divided in the way the research is tested. Group of 20 from each original group will be administered testing within 20 minutes after being administered the specific dose of cortisol and read the story or participated in the items. The second group will be administered testing approximately one week after to demonstrate the long-term effects on cortisol and memory. Participants were recruited through psychology classes on campus. Flyers were also placed on campus to recruit participants. Individuals interested in participating in the research were asked to put their information on a piece of paper and hand it in to the professor. Information that was asked to individuals was: a). name, b). age, c). gender d). medical problems e). current medications taken f). contact information. After 320 participants were found the study could begin. No incentive was given for individuals to participate in this research study. Participants that signed up exhibited various demographics. These demographics included age (18-25), gender (male/female), race (Caucasian, African American, Asian, Hispanic and Other). DESIGN The research utilizes two different methods. One method involves showing participants flash cards of animals. In these flash cards there are 50 different animals. The second method involves reading a detailed specific story. The reason for two different assessments that focus on memory is to assess the possibility of different results based upon the assessment. All participants will be given one test. The test is determined by the assigned group. However both tests consist of twenty questions asking specific details about the item or story. Animal Flash Cards…………………………………………….TBD (Appendix B) Detailed Story…………………………………………………..TBD (Appendix C) PROCEDURE Each participant will begin the study receiving and signing an informed consent form. In addition participants will be briefed on what will occur during the research. The steps are as follows A. Informed consent/briefing B. random assignment into one of the groups C. cortisol administration D. Twenty minute waiting period for cortisol effects to occur E. Assessment given (viewing of either animal flash card or being read a detailed story) F. Groups further divided G. Take test either twenty minutes later or return in approximately one week to complete test H. Debriefing. Once informed consent was given names were put into a box. Names were drawn to assign individuals into groups. The only manipulation was having the participants blind to knowing the dosage of cortisol being administered. After the administration names were put back into boxes to randomly assign which individuals would stay to complete the assessment and which individuals would need to return in one week. After the study was completed by all participants debriefing occurred. Participants were made aware of what dosage of cortisol was administered, their individual scores, the option to have their results (statistical analysis) mailed to them. Participants were also able to ask questions and describe their experiences in participating in the research. Both researchers and research assistants were available for further questioning for a period of two weeks after the study concluded. The detailed steps of the procedure are now further explained. The research will begin at 8AM. Participants will be given cortisol capsules at approximately 8:05 AM. The dose of cortisol received will depend upon the group assignment. Twenty minutes later the research will begin. The different assessments will be given by research assistants. Groups are divided by the assessment given. Further division occurs when testing the memory. One group will take the assessment twenty minutes after being read the story or viewed the items. The other groups will report back to the research lab in approximately one week in order to complete the research. The assessment will be given as a written test asking participants to recall how many different animals he or she identified as viewing. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the higher cortisol dose administered to lower performance levels on both short-term and long-term memory. Individuals administered 30mgs of cortisol in both groups (story and picture viewing) demonstrated lower memorization abilities. Individuals administered the smallest dosage of cortisol demonstrated increased long-term and short-term memory. Participants that performed the assessment on the same day after participating in the study were shown to have a decreased capacity for remembering non-emotive details. Participants administered a dose of 30mgs were shown to miss twice as many questions as participants that were administered 15mgs. Participants asked to return one week later showed similar results. However some participants appeared to have stronger long term memory capabilities than others. Although outliers were present most participants regardless of the assessment used scored similarly. A positive correlation was found between the dosages administered and wrong answers on the assessment. Researchers observed that the there was a positive correlation between the number of wrong answers between the 25mgs-30mgs. Further research is needed to determine the strength of this correlation. DISCUSSION The research has demonstrated that individuals with elevated levels of cortisol demonstrate lower memory capacity. The results produced a high correlation between the effects of cortisol and impaired memory capacity in both short and long-term memory. The positive correlation became higher as the dosage of cortisol increased. Participants in both groups (picture viewing and memory) demonstrated an impaired ability to remember specific details and images. Further research is needed to identify the effects of cortisol on memory on this specific age group. The long-term memory groups may have been effected by other uncontrolled variables throughout the week. These variables include 1. Stress at work/school/home, 2. Lack of sleep, 3. Problems in interpersonal relations. The researchers were unable to control these variables as all of which are life stressors. It is possible that these variables could have further raised cortisol levels causing the individual impaired memory. Limitations of this study include the individual’s tolerance to stress. Some individuals may exhibit higher levels of functionality when cortisol is increased. Further limitations include biological and environmental differences in stress levels. It is probable that participants in the study may have an underlying undiagnosed condition. The possibility of these conditions may adversely reflect the findings of this study. In addition all participants were first year undergraduate psychology students. Assumptions can be made that psychology students may be able to handle stresses based upon the strategies and information learning in their course of study. Further research is needed to determine if the individuals major (course of study) determines the effects cortisol has on both short and long term memory functioning. APPENDIX Informed Consent Form…………………………………………TBD (Appendix A) Animal Flash Cards…………………………………………….TBD (Appendix B) Detailed Story…………………………………………………..TBD (Appendix C) Results…………………………………………………………TBD (Appendix D) 15MG 20MG 25MG 30MG 44 36 31 8 42 37 31 10 41 36 25 21 44 35 22 15 43 38 24 19 39 33 27 11 37 32 26 13 39 29 22 17 42 29 21 14 38 32 20 17 15MG 20MG 25MG 30MG 18 17 10 8 18 13 9 5 14 14 10 2 15 13 9 9 14 14 8 7 17 15 7 5 19 12 8 5 18 11 6 6 17 12 9 3 17 14 8 4 15mgs 20mgs 25mgs 30mgs 18 17 10 7 17 15 8 6 15 12 11 2 12 13 8 5 16 17 9 8 16 13 7 6 20 12 9 6 17 11 5 6 17 13 7 2 19 13 6 5 15MG 20MG 25MG 30MG 43 35 31 7 43 38 31 10 40 37 23 22 45 36 24 15 42 38 25 27 38 32 26 13 37 31 27 12 37 29 21 16 40 28 21 14 38 33 20 17 REFERENCES MedlinePlus (n.d.). Cortisol level. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003693.htm ScienceDaily (1999). High Stress Hormone Levels Impair Memory. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/06/990617072302.htm Read More