A stochastic model using gamma process to estimate the gender differences in age-related changes in HPA axis reactivity Uma S.1,*, Lakshmi S.2 1Senior Lecturer in Mathematics, D. G. Govt. Arts college, Mayiladuthurai (T.N.)-609 001 2Reader in Mathematics, K.N.Govt. Arts College, Thanjavur (T.N.) India *Mailing address: 23-Mela Chetty Street, Kuttalam-609 801 (TN). Email: "uma maths" mathematicsuma@gmail.com
Online published on 26 February, 2013. Abstract Possible differences between men and women in age-related patterns of Hypothalamic–pituitary –adrenal (HPA) axis response to challenge were examined to test the hypothesis that women show greater age-related increase in HPA axis reactivity to challenge. Results provide support for the hypothesized age-by-gender interaction with respect to patterns of response to challenge. There was a significant interaction with respect to maximum percentage increase over baseline: among younger adults, the men exhibited greater increases whereas among the older adults, the women exhibited greater increases. Here a Stochastic model is utilized to estimate the Gender differences in age-related changes in HPA axis reactivity. The variability of salivary cortisol level to challenge by gender and age differences is modeled by a gamma process and concluded that among the younger subjects, it is the men “responders” who exhibit the largest responses while among the older subjects, it is the women “responders” who exhibit the larger responses. Top Keywords HPA axis, Cortisol, Corticotrophin releasing factor, Adrenocorticotrophic hormone, Cognitive challenge, Gamma process. Top |