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. 2013:2013:349530.
doi: 10.1155/2013/349530. Epub 2013 Jun 11.

Reduced cortisol in boys with early-onset conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits

Georg G von Polier  1 , Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann, Kerstin Konrad, Kristine Wiesler, Jana Rieke, Monika Heinzel-Gutenbrunner, Christian J Bachmann, Timo D Vloet
Affiliations

Reduced cortisol in boys with early-onset conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits

Georg G von Polier et al. Biomed Res Int. 2013.

Abstract

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests an association between altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity and the development of persistent antisocial behavior in children. However the effects of altered cortisol levels remain poorly understood in the complex context of conduct disorder, callous-unemotional (CU) personality traits, and frequent comorbidities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of the current study was to investigate associations among CU traits, antisocial behavior, and comorbid ADHD symptomatology with cortisol levels in male children and adolescents.

Methods: The study included 37 boys with early-onset conduct disorder (EO-CD, mean age 11.9 years) and 38 healthy boys (mean age 12.5 years). Participants were subjected to multiple daytime salivary cortisol measurements and a psychometric characterization.

Results: Subjects in the EO-CD group with elevated CU traits showed a diminished cortisol awakening response compared to healthy participants. In the EO-CD group, high CU traits and impulsivity were associated with decreased diurnal cortisol levels, while associations with antisocial behavior were not detected. The cortisol awakening response was significantly inversely associated with hyperactivity (P = 0.02) and marginally significant with CU traits (P = 0.07).

Conclusions: These results indicate a specific association between CU traits and a diminished stress response, which is not explained by antisocial behavior in general.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Group comparison of cortisol levels at awakening and throughout the day. Awakening and diurnal cortisol levels of subjects in the EO-CD group and the HC group are depicted. Significantly lower cortisol levels in the EO-CD group are detected at 12:00 only. Saliva cortisal measures were performed at awakening, +30 min, +60 min, at 12:00, 15:20, 15:40 (mean value of 15:20 and 15:40 depicted), and at 19:30. HC group = healthy control group; EO-CD = early-onset conduct disorder group; means and standard error bars are depicted.
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