title: Further evidence of low baseline cortisol levels in suicide attempters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many, but not all studies of suicide attempters' cortisol response to stress-either social stress or pharmacological challenge-report an exaggerated response. Recent studies of resting baseline cortisol in past suicide attempters, however, have found lower baseline levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, baseline salivary cortisols were obtained prior to a stress procedure from adults with lifetime diagnoses of a mood disorder (N=69), 31.9% of whom had made a prior suicide attempt. Data were collected during the piloting of this stress procedure, at various times of day and with/without an additional confederate in the room.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adjusting for procedural, demographic and clinical variables that affect salivary cortisol levels-including time of day of sampling, order of procedure with respect to other assessments, past alcohol abuse, current medication use, and bipolar diagnosis-past suicide attempters had lower baseline cortisol levels compared to non-attempters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a pilot study with modest sample sizes using statistical, rather than experimental control of numerous variables affecting salivary cortisol levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results confirm previous studies. Low baseline cortisol levels have been associated with childhood adversity and externalizing disorders, suggesting a potential role in reducing inhibitions for risky and dangerous behaviors. Further research is needed to more fully characterize these associations and their role in suicidal behavior risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States. Electronic address: jgk13@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Keilp
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States.
authors.forename: Barbara H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, United States; Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, United States.
authors.forename: Sue R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Beers
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, United States; Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, United States.
authors.forename: Nadine M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Melhem
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States.
authors.forename: Ainsley K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States.
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Oquendo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, United States; Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, United States.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Brent
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, United States.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: John Mann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone