Cocaine addicts with conduct disorder are typified by decreased cortisol responsivity and high plasma levels of DHEA-S.
There is evidence that children with antisocial behaviors have increased plasma levels of the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and either a decreased level of another adrenal steroid, cortisol, or a decreased cortisol responsivity to stress. Low levels of cortisol have also been reported in antisocial adults but their levels of DHEA-S have not been studied. The present study was designed to perform in adult cocaine addicts simultaneous assessments of DHEA-S and cortisol as a function of a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder (adult symptoms) and of a retrospective diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD). Basal cortisol and DHEA-S were determined in the plasma samples of 40 hospitalized men. The patients' cortisol responsivity was also assessed while they were being exposed to a stressful situation. Patients who had a retrospective CD diagnosis had significantly increased DHEA-S levels and secreted less cortisol when stressed. Comparisons between patients who did and did not meet the antisocial personality disorder adult criteria did not reveal any significant difference in DHEA-S or in cortisol responsivity. This could be attributed to the nature of the criteria used to define the adult disorder, which focus mostly on a failure to conform to social norms, whereas a number of CD criteria involve displays of some degree of violence. In conclusion, adults who retrospectively qualified for a CD diagnosis had increased DHEA-S levels and a decreased cortisol reactivity, confirming observations made in children and indicating that mechanisms underlying adrenal steroid alterations in childhood could still be at play in adulthood.
Buydens-Branchey
Laure
L
New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, N.Y., USA. lbuydens@worldnet.att.net
Branchey
Marc
M
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood
D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D006854:Hydrocortisone