OBJECTIVE: The cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio has demonstrated utility in studies of HPA activity and psychopathology. However, use of the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio in adolescent populations requires additional consideration of differential changes in DHEA(S) and cortisol during the course of puberty. This study examines the relationship between pubertal status and individual cortisol and DHEAS levels as well as with the cortisol/DHEAS ratio. METHOD: Morning salivary cortisol and urinary DHEAS levels were obtained for 267 young adolescents at three time points, each approximately one year apart. Growth curve modeling and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess the effect of adrenal development on individual hormone levels and on the total ratio. RESULTS: Pubic hair development was a significant predictor of change over time in DHEAS but not cortisol. Development was also a significant predictor of the cortisol/DHEAS ratio when raw cortisol and DHEAS values were used. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that, when DHEAS levels were adjusted to control for pubertal status, the ratio demonstrated stability over time. This finding is in line with the hypothesis that the ratio may tap stable individual differences in HPA functioning.
OBJECTIVE: The cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio has demonstrated utility in studies of HPA activity and psychopathology. However, use of the cortisol/DHEA(S) ratio in adolescent populations requires additional consideration of differential changes in DHEA(S) and cortisol during the course of puberty. This study examines the relationship between pubertal status and individual cortisol and DHEAS levels as well as with the cortisol/DHEAS ratio. METHOD: Morning salivary cortisol and urinary DHEAS levels were obtained for 267 young adolescents at three time points, each approximately one year apart. Growth curve modeling and repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess the effect of adrenal development on individual hormone levels and on the total ratio. RESULTS: Pubic hair development was a significant predictor of change over time in DHEAS but not cortisol. Development was also a significant predictor of the cortisol/DHEAS ratio when raw cortisol and DHEAS values were used. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that, when DHEAS levels were adjusted to control for pubertal status, the ratio demonstrated stability over time. This finding is in line with the hypothesis that the ratio may tap stable individual differences in HPA functioning.
Authors: Elizabeth A Shirtcliff; Amber L Allison; Jeffrey M Armstrong; Marcia J Slattery; Ned H Kalin; Marilyn J Essex Journal: Dev Psychobiol Date: 2011-09-27 Impact factor: 3.038
Authors: U Knutsson; J Dahlgren; C Marcus; S Rosberg; M Brönnegård; P Stierna; K Albertsson-Wikland Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 1997-02 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Kathleen Pajer; Rhonda Tabbah; William Gardner; Robert T Rubin; R Kenneth Czambel; Yun Wang Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Nicole Maninger; Owen M Wolkowitz; Victor I Reus; Elissa S Epel; Synthia H Mellon Journal: Front Neuroendocrinol Date: 2008-12-03 Impact factor: 8.606
Authors: Todd Lucas; Rhiana Wegner; Jennifer Pierce; Mark A Lumley; Heidemarie K Laurent; Douglas A Granger Journal: Psychosom Med Date: 2017-04 Impact factor: 4.312
Authors: Kristine Marceau; Paula L Ruttle; Elizabeth A Shirtcliff; Marilyn J Essex; Elizabeth J Susman Journal: Dev Psychobiol Date: 2014-04-11 Impact factor: 3.038
Authors: Nasr A I Farooqi; Martina Scotti; Ally Yu; Jimin Lew; Patricia Monnier; Kelly N Botteron; Benjamin C Campbell; Linda Booij; Catherine M Herba; Jean R Séguin; Natalie Castellanos-Ryan; James T McCracken; Tuong-Vi Nguyen Journal: J Neuroendocrinol Date: 2019-01-28 Impact factor: 3.627