HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS Psychiatric Bulletin Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in BJP Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by GOODYER, I. M. Articles by HERBERT, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by GOODYER, I. M. Articles by HERBERT, J.

Possible role of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone in human development and psychopathology

R. J. PARK, MRCPsych

Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry

C. M. NETHERTON, PhD and J. HERBERT, PhD

Department of Anatomy, University of Cambridge, UK

Correspondence: Dr. I. M. Goodyer, Developmental Psychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge University Clinical School, Douglas House, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 2AH, UK

Declaration of interest Supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

See editorial, pp. 189–190, this issue.

ABSTRACT

Background The characteristics of adrenal hormone secretion change markedly during infancy. Disturbances in basal levels may precipitate psychological dysfunction and are associated with psychopathology in young people.

Aims To relate three aspects of behavioural endocrinology: developmental changes in cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the role of these hormones in the psychopathology of young people, and the action of these steroids in the brain.

Method A selective review from the human developmental, psychiatric and neurosciences literature.

Results There are developmentally mediated changes in brain sensitivity following excess exposure to cortisol. This may result in impairments of mental and behavioural function. DHEA and gonadal steroids may modulate the actions of cortisol.

Conclusions Steroid hormones contribute to shaping behavioural function during early development and act as risk factors for psychopathology.

Related articles in BJP:

Developmental continuities and discontinuities

RICHARD HARRINGTON
BJP 2001 179: 189-190. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Felder-Puig, C. Scherzer, M. Baumgartner, M. Ortner, C. Aschenbrenner, C. Bieglmayer, T. Voigtlander, E. R. Panzer-Grumayer, W. J.E. Tissing, J. W. Koper, et al. Glucocorticoids in the Treatment of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Hodgkin's Disease: A Pilot Study on the Adverse Psychological Reactions and Possible Associations with Neurobiological, Endocrine, and Genetic Markers Clin. Cancer Res., December 1, 2007; 13(23): 7093 - 7100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. N. Mannie, C. J. Harmer, and P. J. Cowen Increased Waking Salivary Cortisol Levels in Young People at Familial Risk of Depression Am J Psychiatry, April 1, 2007; 164(4): 617 - 621. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Wilkinson a controversy too far? BMJ, December 11, 2004; 329(7479): 1397 - 1397. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Charney Psychobiological Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability: Implications for Successful Adaptation to Extreme Stress Focus, July 1, 2004; 2(3): 368 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S. Charney Psychobiological Mechanisms of Resilience and Vulnerability: Implications for Successful Adaptation to Extreme Stress Am J Psychiatry, February 1, 2004; 161(2): 195 - 216. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. M. GOODYER Social adversity and mental functions in adolescents at high risk of psychopathology: Position paper and suggested framework for future research The British Journal of Psychiatry, November 1, 2002; 181(5): 383 - 386. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. HARRINGTON Developmental continuities and discontinuities The British Journal of Psychiatry, September 1, 2001; 179(3): 189 - 190. [Full Text] [PDF]