TY - JOUR
T1 - Absence of a normal Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) in adolescent males with Asperger Syndrome (AS)
AU - Brosnan, Mark J
AU - Turner-Cobb, Julie
AU - Munro-Naan, Zoe
AU - Jessop, D
PY - 2009/8
Y1 - 2009/8
N2 - In addition to abnormalities in social and communication development, a ‘need for sameness’ and ‘resistance to change’ are features of autistic spectrum disorders first identified by Kanner in 1943. Our ability to react to change is modulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, a feature of which is a dramatic increase in cortisol upon waking, the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). This study examined whether the CAR was evident in 20 adolescent males with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and 18 age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (aged 11–16). Whilst a significant CAR was evidenced in the TD control group, this was not the case for those with AS. A normal diurnal decrease in cortisol, however, was evident in both groups. The implication that individuals with AS may have an impaired response to change in their environment due to a refractory HPA axis is discussed.
AB - In addition to abnormalities in social and communication development, a ‘need for sameness’ and ‘resistance to change’ are features of autistic spectrum disorders first identified by Kanner in 1943. Our ability to react to change is modulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, a feature of which is a dramatic increase in cortisol upon waking, the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). This study examined whether the CAR was evident in 20 adolescent males with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and 18 age-matched typically developing (TD) controls (aged 11–16). Whilst a significant CAR was evidenced in the TD control group, this was not the case for those with AS. A normal diurnal decrease in cortisol, however, was evident in both groups. The implication that individuals with AS may have an impaired response to change in their environment due to a refractory HPA axis is discussed.
KW - Cortisol Awakening Response
KW - Asperger Syndrome
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67349087956&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.011
U2 - 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.011
DO - 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.011
M3 - Article
SN - 0306-4530
VL - 34
SP - 1095
EP - 1100
JO - Psychoneuroendocrinology
JF - Psychoneuroendocrinology
IS - 7
ER -