Compared to unaffected individuals, patients suffering from a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for example show a significantly reduced secretion of cortisol after 24 h, a lower basal concentration of cortisol, a significantly increased amount of glucocorticoid receptors on the lymphocytes and a significantly increased sensitivity to dexamethasone and its stress-hormone inhibiting effects [93]. This evidence concerns the gene NR3C1 and post-traumatic stress disorder.