Enhanced early morning salivary cortisol in neuroticism.
OBJECTIVE
Neuroticism is a predisposing factor for major depression. The increase in salivary cortisol that follows waking provides a reliable measure of adrenocortical activity, and this response is increased in recovered depressed patients. This study compared waking cortisol levels in healthy subjects with high and low levels of neuroticism without a previous history of depression.


METHODS
Salivary cortisol levels were measured upon waking and at 15-minute intervals for the next hour in volunteers selected to have high (>19/23) or low (<4/23) neuroticism based on the Eysenck Personality Inventory.


RESULTS
Subjects with high neuroticism showed significantly greater levels of salivary cortisol 30 minutes after waking, which were maintained for the next half hour.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormalities in waking cortisol are associated with neuroticism in a way similar to those seen in major depression. Elevated waking cortisol may represent a vulnerability marker for mood disorder.
Portella
Maria J
MJ
Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Neurosciences Bldg., Oxford OX3 7JX, UK.
Harmer
Catherine J
CJ
Flint
Jonathan
J
Cowen
Philip
P
Goodwin
Guy M
GM
D015415:Biomarkers; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010551:Personality / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D006854:Hydrocortisone