Cortisol Diurnal Rhythm and Stress Reactivity in Male Adolescents with Early-Onset or Adolescence-Onset Conduct Disorder

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported lower basal cortisol levels and reduced cortisol responses to stress in children and adolescents with conduct disorder (CD). It is not known whether these findings are specific to early-onset CD. This study investigated basal and stress-induced cortisol secretion in male participants with early-onset and adolescence-onset forms of CD.MethodsForty-two participants with early-onset CD, 28 with adolescence-onset CD, and 95 control subjects participated in the study. They collected saliva across the day to assess their cortisol awakening response and diurnal rhythm. Subsequently, salivary cortisol was measured before, during, and after a psychosocial stress procedure designed to elicit frustration. Cardiovascular activity and subjective mood states were also assessed during stress exposure.ResultsThere were no group differences in morning cortisol levels or the size of the cortisol awakening response. Basal cortisol levels in the evening and at 11 am during the laboratory visit were higher in both CD subgroups relative to control subjects. In contrast, cortisol and cardiovascular responses to psychosocial stress were reduced in both CD subgroups compared with control subjects. All groups reported similar increases in negative mood states during stress.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that group differences in cortisol secretion are most pronounced during stress exposure, when participants with CD show cortisol hyporeactivity compared with control subjects. There was no evidence for reduced basal cortisol secretion in participants with CD, but rather increased secretion at specific time points. The results do not support developmentally sensitive differences in cortisol secretion between CD subtypes.

The hyporeactivity of salivary cortisol at stress test (TSST-C) in children with internalizing or externalizing disorders is contrastively associated with α-amylase

“…Hyporeactivity of the HPA-axis during stress test is consistent with previous findings 326 (Alink et al, 2008;Fairchild et al, 2008;Hartman et al, 2013;van Goozen et al, 1998). Children 327 with externalizing disorders showed much lower cortisol increase than healthy children at low AA 328 baseline (Supplemental Fig 1B).…”

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy among Adolescent with Conduct Disorder in Jakarta, Indonesia

“…The behavioral problem of conduct disorder in adolescence development is influenced by the hormones cortisol that associated with the occurrence of social aggression and stimulation of impulsivity (Montoya 2012). The high cortisol level causes the expression of certain genes in the amygdala that facilitate fear, anxiety, and aggressive behavior that means cortisol would impede the activity of the HPA axis in situations of fear (Fairchild 2008). The level of cortisol is associated with low behavioral control and low self-control directing towards the increase of impulsivity and aggression (Popma 2007).…”

Aggression predicts Cortisol Awakening Response in healthy young adults

“…In contrast, C levels have been reported to be higher in boys with than without conduct disorder in samples collected in the morning (van Bokhoven, et al, 2005). Further, evening C levels (9 p.m.) were significantly higher in male adolescents with conduct disorder than in controls (Fairchild, et al, 2008).…”