Hair cortisol concentration and neurocognitive functions in preschool children at risk of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Autor(en)

Christopher Mann, Susan Schloß, Alisa Susann Cosan, Katja Becker, Nadine Skoluda, Urs Markus Nater, Ursula Pauli-Pott

Abstrakt

Objective
Sex differences have been shown in the relation between hair cortisol concentration (HCC) and ADHD symptoms. As an extension of these findings, we analyze whether a child’s sex modulates the associations between HCC and ADHD-related neurocognitive functions.

Methods
A community-based sample of 122 children was tested at age 4–5 (T1) and 8 (T2) years. At T1 and T2, ADHD symptoms were assessed with clinical parent interviews and parent and teacher questionnaires. Neurocognitive functions (i.e. T1: inhibitory control, working memory (WM), T2: verbal and performance intelligence (IQ-p)) were assessed using (neuro-)psychological tests. At T1, HCC was analyzed in the most proximal 3 cm scalp hair segment using luminescence immunoassay.

Results
Exclusively in boys, low HCC correlated with low WM and IQ-p. The sex-by-HCC interaction effect on WM was significant. In boys, HCC completely explained the links of ADHD inattention symptoms with WM and IQ-p, respectively.

Conclusion
Results suggest a specific neurocognitive/endocrine profile in preschool boys at risk of developing ADHD, comprising hypocortisolism combined with memory and attention deficits.

Organisation(en)

Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Forschungsplattform The Stress of Life - Processes and Mechanisms underlying Everyday Life Stress

Externe Organisation(en)

Philipps Universität Marburg

Journal

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Band

131

Anzahl der Seiten

6

ISSN

0306-4530

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105322

Publikationsdatum

06-2021

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

501010 Klinische Psychologie

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Endocrine and Autonomic Systems, Psychiatry and Mental health, Biological Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/8c7eb830-d268-49d2-8f27-dfbd8ea31272