Cited by 425Stress Responses and CortisolChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentChild Abuse and Trauma

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 75 of the 76 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 22 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysregulation in depressed children and adolescents: A meta-analysis

Open access
Lopez-Duran, Nestor L., Kovacs, Maria, George, Charles J.·2009·Psychoneuroendocrinology

Abstract

Research findings on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and pediatric depression reflect a variety of methodological approaches that tap different facets of HPA-axis functions. Partly owing to the methodological heterogeneity of studies, descriptive reviews of this area have produced inconsistent conclusions. Therefore, we conducted formal meta-analyses of pertinent studies in order to advance our understanding of HPA-axis dysregulation in pediatric depression. We examined: (a) 17 published studies of HPA-axis response to the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in depressed youth (DST; N=926) and (b) 17 studies of basal HPA-axis functioning (N=1332). We also examined descriptively studies that used corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) infusion, and those that used psychological probes of the HPA-axis. The global standardized mean effect size difference in HPA-axis response to the DST between depressed and non-depressed youth was 0.57, z=4.18, p<0.01. The global standardized mean difference effect size in basal HPA-axis functioning was 0.20, z=4.53, p<0.01. Age, sex, timing of sampling, dexamethasone dosage, or type of control group was not a significant source of variability for the DST or basal studies. In addition, when compared to non-depressed peers, depressed youth have a normative response to CRH infusion but an overactive response to psychological stressors. In conclusion, the HPA-axis system tends to be dysregulated in depressed youth, as evidenced by atypical responses to the DST, higher baseline cortisol values, and an overactive response to psychological stressors. This pattern of dysregulation suggests anomalies within the axis's negative feedback system and CRH production, but intact pituitary and adrenal sensitivity.

Overview

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.03.016

Cites

75 of 75 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Claims the paper makes

15 Not checked yet · 14 Own interpretation · 11 Own result · 4 Own method · 1 No basis given

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Show all 18 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 26
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 1
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  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Relative suppression of ACTH and cortisol after CRH infusion indicates pituitary under-sensitivity to CRH.

    “Relative suppression (limited increase) of ACTH and cortisol release after CRH infusion suggests pituitary under-sensitivity to CRH.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Responses to psychological probes can reflect negative feedback dysregulation, oversensitivity to CRH or ACTH, and/or cognitive factors.

    “responses to psychological probes may reflect differences within various HPA-axis components, including dysregulation of the negative feedback system, oversensitivity to CRH or ACTH, and/or differences in cognitive factors (e.g., attention, depressive rumination) that could lead to acute activation of the HPA-axis.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The general findings of studies omitted by the strict selection criteria are consistent with the meta-analysis results.

    “Yet, the general findings of the omitted studies are consistent with our results, suggesting HPA-axis dysregulation in pediatric depression.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    High total cortisol production over a 24-hour cycle indicates possible tonic hypercortisolaemia.

    “For example, while high levels of total cortisol production during a 24-hour cycle indicate possible tonic hypercortisolaemia, samples obtained upon awakening (during the cortisol awakening response) are not necessarily reflective of tonic HPA-axis functioning and instead reflect stress reactivity (Edwards et al., 2001; Schmidt-Reinwald et al., 1999).”
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  • Not confirmedz = 2.33reported p < .01 · recomputed p = .020

    “z = 2.33, p < .01”

  • Consistentz = 4.53reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “z = 4.53, p < .01”

  • Consistentz = 4.18reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “(z = 4.18, p < .01”

  • Consistentz = 4.53reported p < .01 · recomputed p < .001

    “(z = 4.53, p < .01”

  • Consistentz = 0reported p > .2 · recomputed p = 1.000

    “z = .00, p > .20”

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Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

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Metadata

Authors
Lopez-Duran, N. L., Kovacs, M., & George, C. J.
Affiliations
University of Pittsburgh (US)
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-10
Volume
34
Issue
9
Pages
1272-1283
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2059646524
Cited by
425
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 35 · 2012: 27
FWCI
1.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India
  • National Institute of Mental Health (P01MH056193, MH 56193, T32MH018951, T32-MH18951)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, childhood depression, children and adolescents, dexamethasone suppression test, basal cortisol, corticotropin-releasing factor, psychological stress response, HPA axis dysregulation, negative feedback, glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Age Factors, Child, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Major Depressive Disorder, Dexamethasone, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Male, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Sex Factors, Stress, Psychological, Time Factors, Dysthymic Disorder

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