Effects of the pattern of glucocorticoid replacement on neural processing, emotional reactivity and well-being in healthy male individuals: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Table 4 Temporal design of study stage 2 and the concurrent relative glucocorticoid dynamics per study group

Non-task scans will include perfusion imaging (pCASL), supportive imaging to reduce geometric distortions (Z-shimming calibration and field mapping) to allow for increased accuracy of analysis, and resting state imaging to assess functional connectivity. The EPI_2D_Zshim_calibration sequence is specifically designed to reduced signal dropout from the orbitofrontal cortices. 2/3D: two-/three-dimensional, A ascending cortisol levels, pCASL pseudo-continuous arterial spin labelling, Circ. circadian (without the ultradian component), D descending cortisol levels, EPI echo planar imaging, ETB emotional test battery, EPST emotion potentiated startle task, FCT flashing checkerboard task, GRE gradient recalled echo, IFEPT implicit face expression processing task, LSEQ Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, PO per os, S steady (no significant changes in) cortisol levels, TOF time-of-flight, Ultr. ultradian and circadian rhythm, Zshim shimming along the Z axis

ISSN: 1745-6215