title: Salivary biomarker levels and diurnal variation: associations with medications prescribed to control children's problem behavior.
abstract: This study examined associations between medications prescribed to control children's problem behaviors and levels of, and diurnal variation in, salivary cortisol (C), testosterone (T), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Saliva was collected in the morning, midday, and afternoon from 432 children ages 6-13 years. Relative to a no-medication comparison group, children taking (1) antipsychotics had higher DHEA levels and flat C diurnal rhythms, (2) Ritalin or Adderall had flat T diurnal rhythms, (3) Concerta had higher T and DHEA levels, (4) antidepressants had flat DHEA diurnal rhythms, and (5) hypotensives had flat DHEA diurnal rhythms and higher T levels. Medications prescribed to control children's problem behaviors should be monitored in studies of the endocrine correlates and consequences of developmental psychopathology.
authors.affiliation: The Pennsylvania State University, Unviersity Park, PA 16803, USA.
authors.forename: Leah C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hibel
authors.forename: Douglas A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Granger
authors.forename: Dante
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cicchetti
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rogosch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate; D013739:Testosterone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone