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Differences in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis functioning among children with ADHD predominantly inattentive and combined types
[journal article]
Abstract Some evidence suggests that the HPA axis may be dysfunctional in children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether a different pattern of HPA axis activity is found between the inattentive (I) and combined (C) subtypes of ADHD, in compar... view more
Some evidence suggests that the HPA axis may be dysfunctional in children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether a different pattern of HPA axis activity is found between the inattentive (I) and combined (C) subtypes of ADHD, in comparison with healthy control children. A total of 100 prepubertal subjects [52 children with ADHD combined type (ADHD-C), 23 children with ADHD predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I), and 25 healthy control subjects] were studied. The effects of stress were studied by comparing cortisol responses to a psychosocial stressor, consisting of a public speaking task. Children with ADHD-I showed an elevated cortisol response to the psychosocial stressor, in contrast to children with ADHD-C who showed a blunted cortisol response to the psychosocial stressor. When a distinction was made between responders and non-responders (a subject was classified as a responder when there was an increase in cortisol reactivity), hyperactivity symptoms were clearly related to a lower cortisol reactivity to stress. The results indicate that a low-cortisol responsivity to stress may be a neurobiological marker for children with ADHD-C, but not for those with ADHD-I. Directions for future research and clinical implications are discussed.... view less
Keywords
psychophysical stress
Classification
Psychological Disorders, Mental Health Treatment and Prevention
Free Keywords
ADHD; Children; Cortisol; HPA axis
Document language
English
Publication Year
2009
Page/Pages
p. 543-553
Journal
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 18 (2009) 9
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0011-1
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
PEER Licence Agreement (applicable only to documents from PEER project)