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Stress
The International Journal on the Biology of Stress
Volume 27, 2024 - Issue 1
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Review Article

The Stress Phenotyping Framework: A multidisciplinary biobehavioral approach for assessing and therapeutically targeting maladaptive stress physiology

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Article: 2327333 | Received 23 Oct 2023, Accepted 02 Mar 2024, Published online: 06 May 2024

Figures & data

Table 1. Stress Phenotyping Framework: Mechanistic pathways and health implications.

Table 2. Stress Phenotyping Framework: Assessments and targeted interventions.

Figure 1. The Stress Phenotyping Framework.

Ax, Example assessments; Tx, Example Treatments; GI, gastrointestinal; OT, occupational therapy; EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing; LDN, low dose naltrexone; qEEG, quantitative electroencephalogram; CBT-I, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia; TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; HR, heart rate; RR, respiratory rate; BP, blood pressure; HRV, heart rate variability; DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone: HgbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; CBC with diff, complete blood count with differential; hsCRP, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein; EF, executive function; TF-CBT, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Figure 1. The Stress Phenotyping Framework.Ax, Example assessments; Tx, Example Treatments; GI, gastrointestinal; OT, occupational therapy; EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing; LDN, low dose naltrexone; qEEG, quantitative electroencephalogram; CBT-I, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia; TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; HR, heart rate; RR, respiratory rate; BP, blood pressure; HRV, heart rate variability; DHEA, dehydroepiandrosterone: HgbA1c, hemoglobin A1c; CBC with diff, complete blood count with differential; hsCRP, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein; EF, executive function; TF-CBT, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Figure 2. The Stress Phenotyping Framework and the potential for identifying stress phenotypes. (A) Commonly used stress response cluster model. Stress reactivity clusters are often simplified to reactive or blunted and focus on ANS and HPA axis reactivity. This model can be very helpful in the clinical encounter to quickly describe complex processes to clients and patients. However, people likely differ in their stress reactivity across systems and may need a broader assessment and treatment strategy. (B) The Stress Phenotyping Framework. Within each of the stress-related systems described in this narrative review, an individual could have a reactive (↑), blunted (↓), disorganized (bi-directional arrow), or well-regulated (∼) stress response. We suggest that clinicians can provide more targeted interventions by identifying individual differences across different stress-related systems. In addition, we hypothesize that future research can identify clinically distinct stress-response clusters or “stress phenotypes” that could further predict health behaviors and disease risks and provide an opportunity to advance therapeutic interventions. (C) Potential patterns of cortisol reactivity to acute stress (adapted from McEwen, Citation2000a, Citation2000b, Citation2006). This graph depicts an example of differential regulation of HPA-axis reactivity. Mapping the patterns of dysregulation for all stress-related systems following ELA and chronic stress may better inform classification of common stress phenotypes and targeted therapeutic interventions.

Figure 2. The Stress Phenotyping Framework and the potential for identifying stress phenotypes. (A) Commonly used stress response cluster model. Stress reactivity clusters are often simplified to reactive or blunted and focus on ANS and HPA axis reactivity. This model can be very helpful in the clinical encounter to quickly describe complex processes to clients and patients. However, people likely differ in their stress reactivity across systems and may need a broader assessment and treatment strategy. (B) The Stress Phenotyping Framework. Within each of the stress-related systems described in this narrative review, an individual could have a reactive (↑), blunted (↓), disorganized (bi-directional arrow), or well-regulated (∼) stress response. We suggest that clinicians can provide more targeted interventions by identifying individual differences across different stress-related systems. In addition, we hypothesize that future research can identify clinically distinct stress-response clusters or “stress phenotypes” that could further predict health behaviors and disease risks and provide an opportunity to advance therapeutic interventions. (C) Potential patterns of cortisol reactivity to acute stress (adapted from McEwen, Citation2000a, Citation2000b, Citation2006). This graph depicts an example of differential regulation of HPA-axis reactivity. Mapping the patterns of dysregulation for all stress-related systems following ELA and chronic stress may better inform classification of common stress phenotypes and targeted therapeutic interventions.