The diurnal cortisol cycle in delinquent male adolescents and normal controls.

Full Abstract

Patterns of low hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity have been observed in antisocial groups. As conflicting results have been reported in children and adolescents, the aim of this study was to further investigate HPA activity in antisocial behavior by studying the relationship between the diurnal cortisol cycle, as well as the cortisol awakening response (CAR), and antisocial behavior in male adolescents. The diurnal cortisol cycle and the CAR during the first hour after awakening were compared between 12- to 14-year-old boys who attended a delinquency diversion program (DP), with and without a disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) (respectively DP+; n=24 and DP-; n=65), and matched normal controls (NC; n=32). The DP+ group, but not the DP- group, showed a significantly slower decrease of cortisol during the diurnal cycle than the NC group. Furthermore, the DP+ group had significantly lower cortisol levels in the first hour after awakening as compared with the NC group. The results indicate altered HPA activity in delinquent boys with a DBD. Etiological mechanisms, directions for future research, and clinical implications are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Popma, Arne (A); Doreleijers, Theo A H (TA); Jansen, Lucres M C (LM); Van Goozen, Stephanie H M (SH); Van Engeland, Herman (H); Vermeiren, Robert (R);

Affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.popma(-atsign-)debascule.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (Neuropsychopharmacology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jul; vol 32 (issue 7) : pp 1622-8

Dates: Created 2007/06/14; Completed 2007/08/31;

PMID: 17228341, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Antisocial Personality Disorder - blood; etiology; physiopathology
Child
Circadian Rhythm - physiology
Conduct Disorder - blood; etiology; physiopathology
Endocrine System Diseases - blood; complications; physiopathology
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood; secretion

Hydrocortisone - blood; secretion
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology; secretion
Male
Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology; secretion
Predictive Value of Tests
Reference Values
Sex Characteristics
Wakefulness - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Hydrocortisone (50-23-7)

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