HPA-axis reactivity interacts with stage of pubertal development to predict the onset of depression

Abstract

Both elevated and blunted levels of cortisol secretion during childhood and adolescence have been linked to the subsequent onset of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). These mixed findings may be due to developmental changes in HPA-axis functioning, which have not been previously assessed in the context of risk. In the present study, therefore, we examined whether pubertal development moderated the influence of cortisol secretion on the subsequent development of MDD. Eighty-nine never-disordered girls ages 9-15 years, many of whom were at high risk for depression by virtue of having a maternal history of the disorder, completed a laboratory stress task. To index cortisol reactivity, salivary cortisol samples were collected at baseline and 15 minutes following the onset of the stressor. Girls' levels of pubertal development were measured using Tanner staging. All participants were followed through age 18 in order to assess the subsequent development of MDD. Pubertal stage moderated the effects of cortisol stress reactivity on the development of MDD. Specifically, the onset of MDD was predicted by cortisol hyporeactivity in girls who were earlier in pubertal development (Tanner stage ≤ 2), but by cortisol hyperreactivity in girls who were later in pubertal development (Tanner stage ≥ 3.5). Conclusions These findings demonstrate that girls' cortisol stress reactivity predicts the subsequent onset of MDD, and further, that the nature of this effect depends on the girls' level of pubertal development. Results are discussed in the context of clarifying previous findings, and directions for future research are offered.

Cortisol Response to Psychosocial Stress in Chinese Early Puberty Girls: Possible Role of Depressive Symptoms

“…This is consistent with a lately published study which showed that the onset of MDD was predicted by cortisol hyporeactivity in girls who were earlier in pubertal development [14]. The authors proposed that both elevated stress reactivity and blunted cortisol secretion appear to be risk factors for the development of depression.…”

Diurnal Cortisol Interacts With Stressful Events to Prospectively Predict Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Girls

“…15 Youth at different pubertal stages may differ in their HPA-axis functioning. 35 Such differences in the HPA-axis functioning may further be associated with their ability to regulate negative emotion associated with the stressful events. 35 Colich and colleagues (2015) have found that blunted cortisol reactivity to a laboratory-based stressor task predicted MDD onset in adolescent girls in early puberty.…”

“…35 Such differences in the HPA-axis functioning may further be associated with their ability to regulate negative emotion associated with the stressful events. 35 Colich and colleagues (2015) have found that blunted cortisol reactivity to a laboratory-based stressor task predicted MDD onset in adolescent girls in early puberty. 35 However, the effect was reversed for girls in the later pubertal stages, with elevated cortisol reactivity predicting MDD onset.…”

“…35 Colich and colleagues (2015) have found that blunted cortisol reactivity to a laboratory-based stressor task predicted MDD onset in adolescent girls in early puberty. 35 However, the effect was reversed for girls in the later pubertal stages, with elevated cortisol reactivity predicting MDD onset. 35 Given the narrow range of ages in the present study, we did not have power to test whether pubertal stage was indeed responsible for the direction of effects.…”

The neuroscience and context of adolescent depression

“…Related persistent hypersecretion of corticotropin-releasing factor, overproduction of adreno-corticotropic hormone and increased glucocorticoid secretion causes reduced neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which has been related to adolescent and adult depression (45). In females, the effect of cortisol reactivity on the subsequent onset of MDD is influenced by the levels of gonadal steroid hormones associated with pubertal development (46) and early puberty seems to increase the risk of depression in girls (29, 47). Importantly, the earlier onset of puberty, which has been observed, first in USA and now in Europe, coincides with the increasing prevalence of adolescent depression (48).…”