TTC Neurobiological Effects of Trauma 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hormone is primarily responsible for the sustained stress response following acute trauma exposure?
- Oxytocin
- Cortisol (Correct answer)
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
Correct answer: Cortisol
Cortisol, released by the adrenal cortex via HPA axis activation, sustains the physiological stress response after trauma.
Question 2: What is the primary function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in trauma response?
- Regulate social bonding
- Coordinate hormonal stress response (Correct answer)
- Encode explicit memories
- Suppress amygdala activation
Correct answer: Coordinate hormonal stress response
The HPA axis coordinates the hormonal stress response by triggering cortisol release to mobilize energy and modulate immune function.
Question 3: Chronic trauma exposure leads to which HPA axis dysregulation pattern most commonly seen in PTSD?
- Hypercortisolism with blunted diurnal rhythm
- Hypocortisolism with enhanced negative feedback (Correct answer)
- Elevated ACTH with normal cortisol
- Suppressed CRF with elevated cortisol
Correct answer: Hypocortisolism with enhanced negative feedback
PTSD is typically associated with hypocortisolism and enhanced negative feedback sensitivity of the HPA axis.
Question 4: Which neurotransmitter system is most directly implicated in the hyperarousal symptoms of trauma survivors?
- GABA
- Norepinephrine (Correct answer)
- Acetylcholine
- Glutamate
Correct answer: Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine dysregulation is central to PTSD hyperarousal, driving heightened alertness, startle responses, and sleep disturbance.
Question 5: The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is secreted by which structure to initiate the stress cascade?
- Anterior pituitary
- Adrenal cortex
- Hypothalamus (Correct answer)
- Amygdala
Correct answer: Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus secretes CRF, which signals the anterior pituitary to release ACTH, beginning the HPA axis cascade.
Question 6: How does elevated cortisol during acute trauma affect memory consolidation?
- Enhances hippocampal explicit memory formation
- Impairs hippocampal encoding while facilitating amygdala memory (Correct answer)
- Blocks all memory formation equally
- Selectively erases traumatic memories
Correct answer: Impairs hippocampal encoding while facilitating amygdala memory
High cortisol impairs hippocampal-mediated explicit memory while facilitating amygdala-based emotional memory encoding.
Question 7: Which concept describes the cumulative biological cost of chronic stress exposure on bodily systems?
- Polyvagal burden
- Allostatic load (Correct answer)
- Neuroinflammation index
- Sympathetic dominance quotient
Correct answer: Allostatic load
Allostatic load refers to the cumulative wear on the body and brain from chronic stress and repeated adaptation demands.
TTC Neurobiological Effects of Trauma 2
Which hormone is primarily responsible for the sustained stress response following acute trauma exposure?