An Experience-Sampling Approach to Examining Cortisol and Testosterone Profiles in Bipolar and Depressive Mood Disorders

Emotion dysregulation is a core component of bipolar disorder (BD). However, there is a critical gap concerning the measurement of emotion-relevant neuroendocrine processes in this population. The present investigation examined neuroendocrine profiles (i.e., cortisol and testosterone) alongside emotional experiences across three consecutive days in naturalistic settings among adults with bipolar I disorder (n = 28) compared to a clinical comparison group of adults with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 28) and healthy non-psychiatric controls (n = 27). Across four diurnal cortisol measures, the BD group exhibited decreased cortisol concentrations throughout the day, lower overall hormone output, and smaller awakening responses when compared to MDD, and flatter slopes compared to both MDD and control groups. The BD group did not differ from either group in any diurnal testosterone measures. These findings contribute to a growing literature on neuroendocrine processes involved in bipolar and depressive mood disturbances. Future work is needed to unpack the implications of decreased cortisol profiles in mood disorders.