title: Alpha-amylase reactivity in relation to psychopathic traits in adults.
abstract: Recent investigations of the psychobiology of stress in antisocial youth have benefited from a multi-system measurement model. The inclusion of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), a surrogate marker of autonomic/sympathetic nervous system (ANS) activity, in addition to salivary cortisol, a biomarker of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, has helped define a more complete picture of individual differences and potential dysfunction in the stress response system of these individuals. To the authors' knowledge, no studies have examined sAA in relation to antisocial behavior in adults or in relation to psychopathic traits specifically. In the present study, we examined sAA, in addition to salivary cortisol, in a relatively large sample (n=158) of adult males (M age=36.81, range=22-67 years; 44% African-American, 34% Caucasian, 16% Hispanic) recruited from temporary employment agencies with varying levels of psychopathic traits. Males scoring highest in psychopathy were found to have attenuated sAA reactivity to social stress compared to those scoring lower in psychopathy. No differential relationships with the different factors of psychopathy were observed. In contrast to studies of antisocial youth, there were no interactions between sAA and cortisol levels in relation to psychopathy, but there was a significant interaction between pre-stressor levels of sAA and cortisol. Findings reveal potential regulatory deficits in the fast-acting, 'fight or flight', component of the stress response in adult males with psychopathic traits, as well as abnormalities in how this system may interact with the HPA axis.
authors: Center for the Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems, Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. Electronic address: alglenn1@ua.edu.
authors: Andrea L
authors: AL
authors: Glenn
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA.
authors: Rheanna J
authors: RJ
authors: Remmel
authors: Departments of Criminology, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Adrian
authors: A
authors: Raine
authors: School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management, California State University, Long Beach, CA, USA.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Schug
authors: Department of Psychology, Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Gao
authors: Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, Arizona State University, USA; The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, and Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.
authors: Douglas A
authors: DA
authors: Granger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Alpha-amylase; Antisocial; Cortisol; Hormone; Psychopathy; Stress