Proportional-Derivative Control of Cortisol for Treatment of PTSD

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2023 Jul:2023:1-4. doi: 10.1109/EMBC40787.2023.10340805.

Abstract

Mental illnesses, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often impact an individual's physiological reaction to stress via their cortisol response. We examine the regulation of cortisol within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a dynamic biosystem. We investigate the difference between the cortisol regulation of people with PTSD and healthy controls. Additionally, we investigate models for potential therapies based on proportional-derivative (PD) control to normalize and improve the stress response of those with PTSD. Such a design may be relevant to improving the treatment of PTSD, as current medical interventions are frequently imprecise and may result in unwanted side effects. The use of a PD controller in administration of hormone therapy, in contrast, can be highly measurable and patient specific.Clinical Relevance- This paper offers an approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) via stabilizing an individual's endocrinal regulation as a potential future alternative to current pharmaceutical practices.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone*
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Hydrocortisone