Altered diurnal pattern of salivary substance P in adults with developmental disabilities and chronic self-injury.
Morning and afternoon salivary substance P and cortisol levels were measured in 26 adults with chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) and severe developmental disabilities and compared with matched controls without SIB. Chronic SIB was associated with an altered diurnal pattern of salivary substance P relative to matched controls, characterized primarily by lower levels of morning substance P, which were significantly correlated with overall severity of SIB. There was a trend for SIB subjects to exhibit higher levels of cortisol, which was significantly correlated with overall severity of SIB. These results support a model of altered nociception and possible stress-induced analgesia among individuals with developmental disability and chronic SIB.
Symons
Frank J
FJ
University of Minnesota, Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education and Human Development, Minneapolis 55455, USA. symon007@umn.edu
Sutton
Kelly A
KA
Walker
Cheryl
C
Bodfish
James W
JW
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis*
D013373:Substance P; D006854:Hydrocortisone