Neuro Endocrinol Lett

OBJECTIVEThis study evaluated whether measures of waking or diurnal cortisol secretion, or self-reported psychological disturbances differed among police officers with a Period3 (PER3) clock gene length polymorphism.METHODSThe cortisol awakening response was characterized via the area under the salivary cortisol curve with respect to the increase (AUCI) or total waking cortisol (AUCG). Diurnal cortisol measures included the slope of diurnal cortisol and the diurnal AUCG. Psychological disturbances were characterized using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Impact of Events Scale, and Life Events Scale.RESULTSOfficers with a 4/5 or 5/5 genotype had higher awakening AUCG and greater diurnal cortisol AUCG levels compared to officers with the 4/4 genotype. Among those working more afternoon or night shifts, waking AUCI and AUCG were greater among officers with a 4/5 or 5/5 genotype compared to the 4/4 referents.CONCLUSIONCortisol secretion was modified among police officers with different PER3 VNTR clock gene variants.K05 CA136975/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesK05 CA136975/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesT32 GM081740/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United StatesT32-5R18CE001240/CE/NCIPC CDC HHS/United States2013-05-16T00:00:00