Social context in stress and autism: comparing physiological profiles across two social paradigms in youth with and without autism spectrum disorder / Rachael A. MUSCATELLO in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 112 (April 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 112 (April 2024) . - p.102354 Titre : Social context in stress and autism: comparing physiological profiles across two social paradigms in youth with and without autism spectrum disorder Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Rachael A. MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur ; Blythe A. CORBETT, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.102354 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism  Heart rate  Cortisol  Social  Stress  Interaction Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background The social world is often stressful for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research shows youth with ASD demonstrate physiological hyperreactivity to some social stressors (e.g., interaction) but not others (e.g., evaluation); therefore, this study examined diagnosis (ASD or typical development (TD)), social context, perceived anxiety, and physiological responsivity across multiple stress systems; namely, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Method This study examined 244 ten-to-thirteen-year-olds with ASD (N = 140) or TD (N = 104). Physiological responses, measured by salivary cortisol, heart rate (HR), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), were assessed before and after a social evaluative threat paradigm (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) and social interaction (Trier Social Stress Test- Friendly; TSST-F). Mediation models examined the relationships between anxiety, diagnosis, and physiology. Results Significant three-way interactions were observed for cortisol (p = 0.007) and HR (p = 0.002), suggesting diagnostic groups respond differently across context and time points. There was no significant interaction for RSA (p = 0.149), although ASD youth had significantly lower RSA overall (p = 0.038). State and trait anxiety did not mediate the relationship between diagnosis and physiology (all p > 0.05). Conclusions Findings emphasize the critical role of context and a multisystem approach in examination of physiological social stress in youth with ASD. Results provide a foundation to elucidate unique response patterns across physiological systems to more precisely identify those with heightened physiological arousal across social contexts. It is proposed that future identification of subtypes may ultimately inform approaches for enhancing social engagement. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102354 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=524 [article] Social context in stress and autism: comparing physiological profiles across two social paradigms in youth with and without autism spectrum disorder [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Rachael A. MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur ; Blythe A. CORBETT, Auteur . - p.102354. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 112 (April 2024) . - p.102354 Mots-clés : Autism  Heart rate  Cortisol  Social  Stress  Interaction Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background The social world is often stressful for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research shows youth with ASD demonstrate physiological hyperreactivity to some social stressors (e.g., interaction) but not others (e.g., evaluation); therefore, this study examined diagnosis (ASD or typical development (TD)), social context, perceived anxiety, and physiological responsivity across multiple stress systems; namely, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Method This study examined 244 ten-to-thirteen-year-olds with ASD (N = 140) or TD (N = 104). Physiological responses, measured by salivary cortisol, heart rate (HR), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), were assessed before and after a social evaluative threat paradigm (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) and social interaction (Trier Social Stress Test- Friendly; TSST-F). Mediation models examined the relationships between anxiety, diagnosis, and physiology. Results Significant three-way interactions were observed for cortisol (p = 0.007) and HR (p = 0.002), suggesting diagnostic groups respond differently across context and time points. There was no significant interaction for RSA (p = 0.149), although ASD youth had significantly lower RSA overall (p = 0.038). State and trait anxiety did not mediate the relationship between diagnosis and physiology (all p > 0.05). Conclusions Findings emphasize the critical role of context and a multisystem approach in examination of physiological social stress in youth with ASD. Results provide a foundation to elucidate unique response patterns across physiological systems to more precisely identify those with heightened physiological arousal across social contexts. It is proposed that future identification of subtypes may ultimately inform approaches for enhancing social engagement. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102354 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=524

The developmental trajectory of diurnal cortisol in autistic and neurotypical youth / Blythe A. CORBETT in Development and Psychopathology, 36-4 (October 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inDevelopment and Psychopathology > 36-4 (October 2024) . - p.1570-1581 Titre : The developmental trajectory of diurnal cortisol in autistic and neurotypical youth Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Blythe A. CORBETT, Auteur ; Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Rachael A. MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Jinyuan LIU, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1570-1581 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism  Cortisol  Diurnal  Puberty Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Increasing age and puberty affect the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis maturation, which is likely associated with an increase in environmental demands (e.g., social) and vulnerability for the onset of psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression). There is limited research as to whether such patterns are consonant in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition marked by social challenges, dysregulation of the HPA axis, and higher rates of depression setting the stage for enhanced vulnerability during this developmental period.The current study interrogated diurnal cortisol by examining (1) cortisol expression longitudinally over the pubertal transition between autistic and neurotypical youth, (2) the trajectory of diurnal cortisol and the unique contributions of age vs. puberty, and (3) potential sex differences. As hypothesized, results indicate autistic compared to typically developing youth demonstrate a shallower diurnal slope and elevated evening cortisol. These differences were in the context of higher cortisol and flatter rhythms based on age and pubertal development. Also, sex-based differences emerged such that females in both groups had higher cortisol, flatter slopes, and higher evening cortisol than males. The results show that despite the trait-like stability of diurnal cortisol, HPA maturation is impacted by age, puberty, sex, as well as an ASD diagnosis. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000810 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=539 [article] The developmental trajectory of diurnal cortisol in autistic and neurotypical youth [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Blythe A. CORBETT, Auteur ; Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Rachael A. MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Jinyuan LIU, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur . - p.1570-1581. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Development and Psychopathology > 36-4 (October 2024) . - p.1570-1581 Mots-clés : Autism  Cortisol  Diurnal  Puberty Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Increasing age and puberty affect the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis maturation, which is likely associated with an increase in environmental demands (e.g., social) and vulnerability for the onset of psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression). There is limited research as to whether such patterns are consonant in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition marked by social challenges, dysregulation of the HPA axis, and higher rates of depression setting the stage for enhanced vulnerability during this developmental period.The current study interrogated diurnal cortisol by examining (1) cortisol expression longitudinally over the pubertal transition between autistic and neurotypical youth, (2) the trajectory of diurnal cortisol and the unique contributions of age vs. puberty, and (3) potential sex differences. As hypothesized, results indicate autistic compared to typically developing youth demonstrate a shallower diurnal slope and elevated evening cortisol. These differences were in the context of higher cortisol and flatter rhythms based on age and pubertal development. Also, sex-based differences emerged such that females in both groups had higher cortisol, flatter slopes, and higher evening cortisol than males. The results show that despite the trait-like stability of diurnal cortisol, HPA maturation is impacted by age, puberty, sex, as well as an ASD diagnosis. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000810 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=539

The intersection and developmental trajectory of morning cortisol and testosterone in autistic and neurotypical youth / Trey MCGONIGLE ; Rachael A MUSCATELLO ; Simon VANDEKAR ; Rachel CALVOSA in Molecular Autism, 16 (2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inMolecular Autism > 16 (2025) . - 27 Titre : The intersection and developmental trajectory of morning cortisol and testosterone in autistic and neurotypical youth Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Rachael A MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur ; Rachel CALVOSA, Auteur Article en page(s) : 27 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Humans  Testosterone/metabolism  Female  Male  Hydrocortisone/metabolism  Adolescent  Child  Saliva/metabolism/chemistry  Longitudinal Studies  Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism  Autistic Disorder/metabolism  Autism  Cortisol  HPA axis  Hpg  Hormones  Puberty  Testosterone  carried out in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical  Association (Declaration of Helsinki). The Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board  approved the study. Prior to inclusion in the study, informed written consent and  assent were obtained from all parents and study participants, respectively.  Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare  no competing interests. Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Behavioral endocrinology examines associations between hormone expression, such as testosterone and cortisol, and behavior; both of which have been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The overarching aim of the study was to examine the intersection of sex-based (Male, Female), hormonal (testosterone, cortisol), diagnostic (ASD, typically developing, (TD)) and developmental (age, puberty) patterns over four years of a longitudinal study in a well-characterized sample of youth (spanning 10 to 17 years). METHODS: In year 1 (Y1), participants included 140 autistic youth (36 females, 104 males) and 105 TD youth (46 females, 59 males.). For Y4, participants included 83 ASD and 77 TD youth. Immediate waking morning salivary samples were collected for hormone assay. Mixed effects and ordinary linear regression models were used, as well as mediation effects of hormones on behavior. RESULTS: For cortisol, there was a significant diagnosis by sex by age interaction (X(2) = 15.62, df = 3, p = 0.0014, S = 0.2446) showing that autistic females evidence higher morning cortisol that increased over developmental progression compared to TD females. Moreover, ASD males had stunted testosterone growth compared to TD males (Est = 0.1530, p = 0.0130). Regarding biobehavioral associations in year 1, diagnosis (X(2) = 80.72, df = 1, p < 0.0001, S = 0.5704) and cortisol (X(2) = 14.42, df = 3, p = 0.0024, S = 0.2159) were associated with social problems; however, there were no effects for testosterone on diagnosis or a mediation effect on social problems. There was a significant effect of diagnosis on CBCL Aggression score (X(2) = 34.39, df = 1, p < 0.0001, S = 0.3692) independent of hormonal measurements. LIMITATIONS: Despite the large sample, it was not fully representative based on race, ethnicity or intellectual profile. Attrition of the sample is also acknowledged especially between portions of Y2 and Y3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, only the immediate morning salivary samples were used due to lower and undetectable concentration levels of testosterone in younger and female children. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings underscore the need to elucidate the biobehavioral patterns that emerge during the complex adolescent transition for autistic youth to determine how they impact clinical and long-term outcomes. The unique hormonal trajectories may be related to differences in advanced pubertal progression and affective states found in autistic females. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-025-00658-0 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=555 [article] The intersection and developmental trajectory of morning cortisol and testosterone in autistic and neurotypical youth [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Rachael A MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur ; Rachel CALVOSA, Auteur . - 27. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Molecular Autism > 16 (2025) . - 27 Mots-clés : Humans  Testosterone/metabolism  Female  Male  Hydrocortisone/metabolism  Adolescent  Child  Saliva/metabolism/chemistry  Longitudinal Studies  Autism Spectrum Disorder/metabolism  Autistic Disorder/metabolism  Autism  Cortisol  HPA axis  Hpg  Hormones  Puberty  Testosterone  carried out in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the World Medical  Association (Declaration of Helsinki). The Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board  approved the study. Prior to inclusion in the study, informed written consent and  assent were obtained from all parents and study participants, respectively.  Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare  no competing interests. Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Behavioral endocrinology examines associations between hormone expression, such as testosterone and cortisol, and behavior; both of which have been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The overarching aim of the study was to examine the intersection of sex-based (Male, Female), hormonal (testosterone, cortisol), diagnostic (ASD, typically developing, (TD)) and developmental (age, puberty) patterns over four years of a longitudinal study in a well-characterized sample of youth (spanning 10 to 17 years). METHODS: In year 1 (Y1), participants included 140 autistic youth (36 females, 104 males) and 105 TD youth (46 females, 59 males.). For Y4, participants included 83 ASD and 77 TD youth. Immediate waking morning salivary samples were collected for hormone assay. Mixed effects and ordinary linear regression models were used, as well as mediation effects of hormones on behavior. RESULTS: For cortisol, there was a significant diagnosis by sex by age interaction (X(2) = 15.62, df = 3, p = 0.0014, S = 0.2446) showing that autistic females evidence higher morning cortisol that increased over developmental progression compared to TD females. Moreover, ASD males had stunted testosterone growth compared to TD males (Est = 0.1530, p = 0.0130). Regarding biobehavioral associations in year 1, diagnosis (X(2) = 80.72, df = 1, p < 0.0001, S = 0.5704) and cortisol (X(2) = 14.42, df = 3, p = 0.0024, S = 0.2159) were associated with social problems; however, there were no effects for testosterone on diagnosis or a mediation effect on social problems. There was a significant effect of diagnosis on CBCL Aggression score (X(2) = 34.39, df = 1, p < 0.0001, S = 0.3692) independent of hormonal measurements. LIMITATIONS: Despite the large sample, it was not fully representative based on race, ethnicity or intellectual profile. Attrition of the sample is also acknowledged especially between portions of Y2 and Y3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, only the immediate morning salivary samples were used due to lower and undetectable concentration levels of testosterone in younger and female children. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings underscore the need to elucidate the biobehavioral patterns that emerge during the complex adolescent transition for autistic youth to determine how they impact clinical and long-term outcomes. The unique hormonal trajectories may be related to differences in advanced pubertal progression and affective states found in autistic females. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-025-00658-0 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=555

Trajectory of depressive symptoms over adolescence in autistic and neurotypical youth / Blythe A. CORBETT in Molecular Autism, 15 (2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inMolecular Autism > 15 (2024) . - 18p. Titre : Trajectory of depressive symptoms over adolescence in autistic and neurotypical youth Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Blythe A. CORBETT, Auteur ; Rachael A. MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur ; Christina BURROUGHS, Auteur ; Sloane SPARKS, Auteur Article en page(s) : 18p. Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Humans  Female  Male  Adolescent  Depression/epidemiology  Child  Longitudinal Studies  Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology/epidemiology  Autistic Disorder/psychology/epidemiology  Puberty/psychology  Adolescence  Autism  Depression  Development  Puberty Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Adolescence coincides with a dramatic rise in the onset of psychiatric conditions including depression. Depression symptoms may be particularly prevalent and impairing for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While prior research suggests adolescence is associated with worsening depression symptoms for typically developing (TD) and autistic youth, it is unclear if they follow a similar course. METHOD: The study examined the trajectory of depressive symptoms in autistic and neurotypical youth over a 4-year longitudinal study using linear and logistic mixed effects models. In youth with clinically relevant depressive scores (t-score > 65), moderating factors (i.e., diagnosis, age, puberty, sex) were explored. During Year 1, the sample included 244 youth 10-to-13 years: 140 in the ASD group (36 females) and 104 in the TD group (46 females). RESULTS: Autistic youth had elevated depression scores compared to TD peers (p < 0.001) and females were higher than males in both groups (p = 0.001). There was significant diagnosis by age (p < 0.001) and diagnosis by pubertal stage (p < 0.05) interactions. In the ASD group, elevated depressive scores presented in early adolescence and decreased during middle adolescence and puberty, whereas the TD group showed the opposite trend with an increase in depression symptoms with advancing development. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include an unequal sex distribution (fewer females), non-representative autistic sample (e.g., cognition and race/ethnicity), and potential confound of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Autistic youth present with higher rates of depressive symptoms early in development; yet, approaching middle adolescence and puberty, the symptom trajectory in the autistic youth declines coinciding with an increase in the TD youth. While group trajectories are divergent, they lead to similar levels of depression in late adolescence with higher symptoms in females. Findings suggest a period of quiescence in depressive symptomology influenced by biopsychosocial factors impacting affective profiles. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-024-00600-w Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=538 [article] Trajectory of depressive symptoms over adolescence in autistic and neurotypical youth [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Blythe A. CORBETT, Auteur ; Rachael A. MUSCATELLO, Auteur ; Trey MCGONIGLE, Auteur ; Simon VANDEKAR, Auteur ; Christina BURROUGHS, Auteur ; Sloane SPARKS, Auteur . - 18p. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Molecular Autism > 15 (2024) . - 18p. Mots-clés : Humans  Female  Male  Adolescent  Depression/epidemiology  Child  Longitudinal Studies  Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology/epidemiology  Autistic Disorder/psychology/epidemiology  Puberty/psychology  Adolescence  Autism  Depression  Development  Puberty Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Adolescence coincides with a dramatic rise in the onset of psychiatric conditions including depression. Depression symptoms may be particularly prevalent and impairing for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While prior research suggests adolescence is associated with worsening depression symptoms for typically developing (TD) and autistic youth, it is unclear if they follow a similar course. METHOD: The study examined the trajectory of depressive symptoms in autistic and neurotypical youth over a 4-year longitudinal study using linear and logistic mixed effects models. In youth with clinically relevant depressive scores (t-score > 65), moderating factors (i.e., diagnosis, age, puberty, sex) were explored. During Year 1, the sample included 244 youth 10-to-13 years: 140 in the ASD group (36 females) and 104 in the TD group (46 females). RESULTS: Autistic youth had elevated depression scores compared to TD peers (p < 0.001) and females were higher than males in both groups (p = 0.001). There was significant diagnosis by age (p < 0.001) and diagnosis by pubertal stage (p < 0.05) interactions. In the ASD group, elevated depressive scores presented in early adolescence and decreased during middle adolescence and puberty, whereas the TD group showed the opposite trend with an increase in depression symptoms with advancing development. LIMITATIONS: Limitations include an unequal sex distribution (fewer females), non-representative autistic sample (e.g., cognition and race/ethnicity), and potential confound of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Autistic youth present with higher rates of depressive symptoms early in development; yet, approaching middle adolescence and puberty, the symptom trajectory in the autistic youth declines coinciding with an increase in the TD youth. While group trajectories are divergent, they lead to similar levels of depression in late adolescence with higher symptoms in females. Findings suggest a period of quiescence in depressive symptomology influenced by biopsychosocial factors impacting affective profiles. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13229-024-00600-w Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=538

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