Developmental origins of infant stress reactivity profiles: A multi-system approach.

Author: Reeves JW, et al (2016), Psychophysiology

Physiologic investigations of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have skewed toward assessment of the autonomic nervous system, largely neglecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis variables. Although these systems coordinate, suggesting a degree of symmetry, to promote adaptive functioning, most studies opt to monitor either one system or the other. Using a ratio of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) over salivary cortisol, the present study examined symmetry between the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and HPA axis in individuals with GAD. Study participants included 71 individuals diagnosed with GAD and 37 healthy controls. Compared to healthy controls, individuals with GAD exhibited greater baseline ratios of sAA/cortisol and smaller ratios of sAA/cortisol following a mental arithmetic challenge. We propose that the present study provides evidence for SNS-HPA asymmetry in GAD. Further, these results suggest that increased SNS suppression in GAD may be partially mediated by cortisol activity.

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Keywords: Asymmetry, salivary cortisol, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), salivary alpha-amylase