title: Absence of a normal cortisol awakening response (CAR) in adolescent males with Asperger syndrome (AS).
abstract: In addition to abnormalities in social and communication development, a 'need for sameness' and 'resistance to change' are features of autistic spectrum disorders first identified by Kanner in 1943. Our ability to react to change is modulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a feature of which is a dramatic increase in cortisol upon waking, the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). This study examined whether the CAR was evident in 20 adolescent males with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and 18 age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (aged 11-16). Whilst a significant CAR was evidenced in the TD control group, this was not the case for those with AS. A normal diurnal decrease in cortisol, however, was evident in both groups. The implication that individuals with AS may have an impaired response to change in their environment due to a refractory HPA axis is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. pssmjb@bath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brosnan
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turner-Cobb
authors.forename: Zoe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Munro-Naan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jessop
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014851:Wakefulness
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone