title: HPA and SAM axis responses as correlates of self- vs parental ratings of anxiety in boys with an Autistic Disorder.
abstract: Anxiety and Autistic Disorder (AD) are both neurological conditions and both disorders share some features that make it difficult to precisely allocate specific symptoms to each disorder. HPA and SAM axis activities have been conclusively associated with anxiety, and may provide a method of validating anxiety rating scale assessments given by parents and their children with AD about those children. Data from HPA axis (salivary cortisol) and SAM axis (salivary alpha amylase) responses were collected from a sample of 32 high-functioning boys (M age=11yr) with an Autistic Disorder (AD) and were compared with the boys' and their mothers' ratings of the boys' anxiety. There was a significant difference between the self-ratings given by the boys and ratings given about them by their mothers. Further, only the boys' self-ratings of their anxiety significantly predicted the HPA axis responses and neither were significantly related to SAM axis responses. Some boys showed cortisol responses which were similar to that previously reported in children who had suffered chronic and severe anxiety arising from stressful social interactions. As well as suggesting that some boys with an AD can provide valid self-assessments of their anxiety, these data also point to the presence of very high levels of chronic HPA-axis arousal and consequent chronic anxiety in these boys.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bond University, Qld 4229, Australia.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bitsika
authors.affiliation: Centre for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Bond University, Qld 4229, Australia; Brain-Behaviour Research Group, University of New England, NSW 2351, Australia. Electronic address: csharpley@onthenet.com.au.
authors.forename: Christopher F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Sharpley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.affiliation: University of New England, NSW 2351, Australia.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McFarlane
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Anxiety; Autistic Disorder; Cortisol; Stress