Stress Responsivity and HPA Axis Activity in Juveniles: Results From a Home-Based CO ₂ Inhalation Study

Objective: A previous laboratory-based study found elevated cortisol levels in anxious children susceptible to CO ₂ -induced panic, but the effects of parent diagnosis were not considered. The current home-based study tested the hypothesis that parental panic disorder and offspring response to CO ₂ are associated with elevated cortisol levels in juvenile offspring. Method: A total of 131 offspring (ages 9–19) of parents with panic disorder, major depression, and no mental disorder underwent CO ₂ inhalation. Parent and child diagnoses were assessed. Salivary cortisol was assayed before and after CO ₂ inhalation. Results: Neither parents with panic disorder, parents with major depression, or offspring anxiety predicted offspring cortisol levels. Independent of parent and child diagnoses, anxiety response to CO ₂ predicted elevated cortisol levels in offspring. Conclusions: As in adults, anxiety response to CO ₂ in juveniles is associated with elevated cortisol levels, but elevated cortisol levels are not related to parent or child diagnoses.