Stress responsivity and HPA axis activity in juveniles: results from a home-based CO2 inhalation study

Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Apr;163(4):738-40. doi: 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.738.

Abstract

Objective: A previous laboratory-based study found elevated cortisol levels in anxious children susceptible to CO(2)-induced panic, but the effects of parent diagnosis were not considered. The current home-based study tested the hypothesis that parental panic disorder and offspring response to CO(2) are associated with elevated cortisol levels in juvenile offspring.

Method: A total of 131 offspring (ages 9-19) of parents with panic disorder, major depression, and no mental disorder underwent CO(2) inhalation. Parent and child diagnoses were assessed. Salivary cortisol was assayed before and after CO(2) inhalation.

Results: Neither parents with panic disorder, parents with major depression, or offspring anxiety predicted offspring cortisol levels. Independent of parent and child diagnoses, anxiety response to CO(2) predicted elevated cortisol levels in offspring.

Conclusions: As in adults, anxiety response to CO(2) in juveniles is associated with elevated cortisol levels, but elevated cortisol levels are not related to parent or child diagnoses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / drug effects*
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Carbon Dioxide* / administration & dosage
  • Carbon Dioxide* / pharmacology
  • Child
  • Child of Impaired Parents / psychology
  • Child of Impaired Parents / statistics & numerical data*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / genetics
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / analysis*
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology
  • Male
  • Panic Disorder / chemically induced*
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis
  • Panic Disorder / genetics
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiology
  • Probability
  • Saliva / chemistry*
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis*
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Hydrocortisone