title: Concurrent attenuated reactivity of alpha-amylase and cortisol is related to disruptive behavior in male adolescents.
abstract: Attenuated reactivity of salivary alpha-amylase has been proposed as a specific sympathetic marker of disruptive behavior in juveniles and may have additional value to studying other autonomic parameters and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Investigating the interrelationships between neurobiological parameters in relation to juvenile disruptive behavior may enhance insight into the complex mechanisms at play. We investigated salivary alpha-amylase, cortisol, heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) in response to a standardized public speaking task, and examined interactions between these parameters in relation to disruptive behavior. Participants were 48 delinquent male adolescents (mean age 18.4 years, SD 0.9), with and without a disruptive behavior disorder (resp. DP+, DP-) and 16 matched normal controls (NC). A structured psychiatric interview as well as the Youth Self Report and Child Behavior Checklist were administered to assess disruptive behavior. Alpha-amylase and cortisol reactivity, but not HR or HRV, showed significant inverse associations with dimensional measures of disruptive behavior. Moreover, both cortisol and alpha-amylase reactivity were significantly lower in the DP+ group as compared to the NC group. The mentioned relationships remained present when nicotine use was entered as a covariate. Combining alpha-amylase and cortisol in one model explained a larger part of the variance of disruptive behavior than either single parameter. There were no interactions between alpha-amylase and cortisol or HRV in relation to disruptive behavior. Attenuated alpha-amylase responsivity to stress is a correlate of disruptive behavior in late-adolescent males. Although nicotine use explains a considerable part of the variance of disruptive behavior, both alpha-amylase and cortisol are related to disruptive behavior, over and above the effect of nicotine use. Combining alpha-amylase and cortisol improved insight into neurobiological mechanisms involved with disruptive behavior; concurrent low reactivity of both parameters was related to higher levels of disruptive behavior.
authors.affiliation: VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.devries@debascule.com
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Vries-Bouw
authors.forename: Lucres
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vermeiren
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doreleijers
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van de Ven
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Popma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone