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Stress Responsivity and HPA Axis Activity in Juveniles: Results From a Home-Based CO₂ Inhalation Study

OBJECTIVE: A previous laboratory-based study found elevated cortisol levels in anxious children susceptible to CO₂-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 CO₂ 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 CO₂ inhalation. Parent and child diagnoses were assessed. Salivary cortisol was assayed before and after CO₂ 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 CO₂ predicted elevated cortisol levels in offspring. CONCLUSIONS: As in adults, anxiety response to CO₂ in juveniles is associated with elevated cortisol levels, but elevated cortisol levels are not related to parent or child diagnoses.

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