title: Longitudinal associations between diurnal cortisol slope and alcohol use across adolescence: a seven-year prospective study.
abstract: A large body of research has linked hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function and alcohol consumption, including work suggesting that flatter diurnal cortisol slopes are associated with greater alcohol use. A lack of longitudinal studies and a focus on adult and alcoholic populations leaves unclear whether such associations are also present in younger, non-clinical populations and whether flatter diurnal slopes are a consequence of or preexisting risk factor for alcohol use; however, theory suggests such associations may be mutually reinforcing. In a longitudinal, community sample of 200 (55% female) adolescents, the current study demonstrates that flatter diurnal cortisol slope at age 11 predicts higher levels of alcohol use from ages 15-18, and that heavier alcohol use in turn predicts further flattening of diurnal cortisol rhythm at age 18.5. This is the first study to demonstrate a longitudinal chain of associations between diurnal cortisol slope and alcohol use. Findings support contemporary theoretical models of the neurobiological processes underlying alcohol use and can inform future research on risk factors for and consequences of underage drinking.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53719-1176, USA. Electronic address: ruttle@wisc.edu.
authors: Paula L
authors: PL
authors: Ruttle
authors: Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719-1176, USA.
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Maslowsky
authors: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53719-1176, USA.
authors: Jeffrey M
authors: JM
authors: Armstrong
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53719-1176, USA.
authors: Linnea R
authors: LR
authors: Burk
authors: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53719-1176, USA.
authors: Marilyn J
authors: MJ
authors: Essex
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011627:Puberty; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Adolescence; Alcohol use; Diurnal cortisol; HPA axis; Longitudinal