Abstract
We examined daytime salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) secretion levels and variability in preschool-aged
children with autism (AUT) and typically developing children (TYP). Fifty-two subjects (26 AUT and 26 TYP) were enrolled.
Salivary samples were obtained at waking, midday, and bedtime on two consecutive days at three phases (baseline, 3 months
later, 6 months later). There were modest increases in waking cortisol and sAA levels in AUT relative to TYP, but the increases
were not statistically significant. Important differences were observed in cortisol and sAA variability between AUT and TYP.
There was also a graded response among AUT by functional status—cortisol and sAA secretion levels were higher when IQ was
lower.
children with autism (AUT) and typically developing children (TYP). Fifty-two subjects (26 AUT and 26 TYP) were enrolled.
Salivary samples were obtained at waking, midday, and bedtime on two consecutive days at three phases (baseline, 3 months
later, 6 months later). There were modest increases in waking cortisol and sAA levels in AUT relative to TYP, but the increases
were not statistically significant. Important differences were observed in cortisol and sAA variability between AUT and TYP.
There was also a graded response among AUT by functional status—cortisol and sAA secretion levels were higher when IQ was
lower.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-012-1522-z
- Authors
- Sharon A. Kidd, School of Public Health, University of California, 101 Haviland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Blythe A. Corbett, M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Douglas A. Granger, Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- W. Thomas Boyce, College for Interdisciplinary Studies and Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T-123, Canada
- Thomas F. Anders, M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Davis Medical Center, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Ira B. Tager, School of Public Health, University of California, 101 Haviland Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257