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.
Highlights
In recent years, multiple studies have indicated that children with persistent antisocial behavior show neurobiological alterations [1]
Subjects fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for EO-conduct disorder (CD), and boys constituted a healthy control (HC) group
Externalizing behavior, internalizing behavior, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and CU traits were more pronounced in the EO-CD group, whereas IQ was higher in the HC-group (Table 1)
Summary
Multiple studies have indicated that children with persistent antisocial behavior show neurobiological alterations [1]. Stress-regulating mechanisms appear to play a major role in the development of antisocial behavior [2] Many studies in this area have focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as a central component of the stress-regulating system and, in particular, on cortisol as the primary stress hormone in humans. 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. Subjects in the EO-CD group with elevated CU traits showed a diminished cortisol awakening response compared to healthy participants. These results indicate a specific association between CU traits and a diminished stress response, which is not explained by antisocial behavior in general
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
