Enhanced Cortisol Response to Stress in Children in Autism

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 75 - 81
• Main Authors: Spratt, Eve G., Nicholas, Joyce S., Brady, Kathleen T., Carpenter, Laura A., Hatcher, Charles R., Meekins, Kirk A., Furlanetto, Richard W., Charles, Jane M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-01-2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adjustment (to Environment); Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic children; Autistic Disorder - metabolism; Autistic Disorder - physiopathology; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biology; Blood; Brain; Change; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child Behavior; Child clinical studies; Child, Preschool; Children; Clinical Diagnosis; Control Groups; Corticosteroids; Cortisol; Developmental disorders; Diagnostic Tests; Elevation; Etiology; Feedback (Response); Female; Females; Hormones; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hydrocortisone - blood; Hydrocortisone - metabolism; Hydrocortisone - urine; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiopathology; Infantile autism; Interviews; Male; Males; Medical sciences; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurology; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Physiology; Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiopathology; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public Health; Rating Scales; Reactivity; Saliva - metabolism; Steroids; Stimuli; Stress; Stress in children; Stress Variables; Stress, Physiological - physiology; Stress, Psychological - metabolism; Stress, Psychological - physiopathology; Student Placement; HPA; Autism; Cortisol; Stress; Adaptability; Neurobiology; Human; Corticosteroid; Steroid hormone; Antiinflammatory agent; Developmental disorder; Hydrocortisone; Glucocorticoid; Adrenal hormone; Child
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-011-1214-0

Children with Autism often show difficulties in adapting to change. Previous studies of cortisol, a neurobiologic stress hormone reflecting hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity, in children with autism have demonstrated variable results. This study measured cortisol levels in children with and without Autism: (1) at rest; (2) in a novel environment; and (3) in response to a blood draw stressor. A significantly higher serum cortisol response was found in the group of children with autism. Analysis showed significantly higher peak cortisol levels and prolonged duration and recovery of cortisol elevation following the blood-stick stressor in children with autism. This study suggests increased reactivity of the HPA axis to stress and novel stimuli in children with autism.