Etiologic specificity of waking Cortisol: Links with maternal history of depression and anxiety in adolescent girls

Abstract

Background: Many previous studies have indicated that individuals who are depressed or at risk for depression are characterized by increased levels of morning cortisol and a greater cortisol awakening response (CAR). However, despite the high comorbidity between depressive and anxiety disorders, fewer studies have examined whether these diurnal cortisol abnormalities are also characteristic of anxiety or risk for anxiety.

Methods: In the present study we examined cortisol in a community sample of 476 female adolescents and related it to maternal history of depression and/or anxiety disorders. Salivary cortisol was collected at waking, 30min post waking, and in the evening on three weekdays.

Results: Contrary to prior results, offspring at risk for depression did not have increased morning cortisol or CAR. However, offspring at risk for anxiety disorders had elevated 30min cortisol and total cortisol produced throughout the day; this effect was primarily driven by offspring of mothers with panic disorder or agoraphobia. Additionally, levels of cortisol were highest among offspring of mothers with multiple anxiety diagnoses.

Limitations: The study is limited to female adolescents and maternal diagnostic history. Additionally, some diagnoses could not be examined as a result of too few cases (e.g. GAD).

Conclusions: Overall, these results underscore the importance of considering anxiety when examining the association of diurnal cortisol abnormalities with risk for psychopathology, as it may have influenced prior observations of elevated morning cortisol in depression.

Keywords: Anxiety; Cortisol; Cortisol awakening response; Depression; Maternal; Offspring; Vulnerability.

Figure 1. Daily cortisol area under the curve by maternal history of internalizing diagnoses

Note. †significant at p < .10; *significant at p < .01; **significant at p < .005