Salivary cortisol and psychopathology in adults bereaved by the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Objective: This prospective study aimed to describe the nature and time course of HPA axis dysregulation and psychopathology among terror-bereaved spouses.

Method: Twenty-three spouses bereaved from September 11, 2001 terror attacks and 22 nonbereaved spouses were compared using a psychiatric diagnostic interview (SCID), 3 days of salivary cortisol collection, and a dexamethasone suppression test. Most subjects had repeated assessments at 6 month intervals during the 2 year study.

Salivary cortisol and psychopathology in children bereaved by the september 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Background: Studies suggest that stressful events increase risk for childhood anxiety and depression and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. This prospective longitudinal study evaluated relationships among severe psychosocial stress, psychiatric morbidity, and HPA axis function in children.

Methods: Forty-five children (mean age: 8.

Saliva cortisol and response to dexamethasone in children of depressed parents.

Background: Major depression (MDD) is heritable, and children of depressed parents are at higher risk for the development of depression. However, depression in a parent might also act as a stressor leading to increased activation of neuroendocrine stress circuits. To address this question we examined saliva cortisol in children whose parents have a history of MDD.