Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity in kindergarten children: importance of gender and associations with behavioral/emotional difficulties.
The current cross-sectional study investigated basal and stress-challenged hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) system function in 102 five-year old kindergarten children (59 boys, 43 girls) who had been assessed by a comprehensive psychological and behavioral test battery. Baseline HPA system activity was significantly increased in girls when compared to boys (p<0.001). Furthermore, basal HPA system activity predicted a high hormonal release during stress with--again--girls showing higher hormonal responses than boys (p<0.01). Importantly, increased HPA system activity (baseline and stress-challenged) was significantly associated with hyperactivity/impulsivity and emotional problems in boys and with positive emotions in girls (p<0.05). These results suggest an occurrence of neurobiological alterations early in development. The observed neurobiological changes are gender specific already at the age of 5 years. Prospective long-term follow up of the identified subjects with HPA axis alterations will clarify if these markers are predictive for the onset of psychiatric disorders.
Hatzinger
Martin
M
Psychiatric University Clinics (UPK), Depression Research Unit, Wilhelm Klein-Str. 27, CH-4025 Basel, Switzerland. christine.haselbach@upkbs.ch
Brand
Serge
S
Perren
Sonja
S
von Wyl
Agnes
A
von Klitzing
Kai
K
Holsboer-Trachsler
Edith
E
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000367:Age Factors; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors
D006854:Hydrocortisone