Decreased cortisol levels in adolescent girls with conduct disorder

Background: Female adolescent antisocial behavior is increasing, but little is known about the neuroendocrinologic aspects of this disorder. On the ba sis of reports of decreased cortisol levels in antisocial males, we investi gated morning plasma cortisol levels in adolescent girls with conduct disor der (CD). Methods: Three plasma samples for cortisol levels were taken every 20 minut es between 8 and 9 AM in 47 adolescent girls with CD (mean +/- SD age, 16.5 +/- 0.9 years) and 37 normal control girls (mean age, 16.0 +/- 0.8 years). All blood was drawn within 72 hours after the onset of menstrual flow. Results: Girls with CD had significantly lower cortisol levels than girls i n the normal control group at all 3 sampling times. This finding was not du e to procedural factors, demographic characteristics, or the use of medicat ions. The girls with CD who had no other psychiatric problems had lower cor tisol levels than girls with other disorders or those in the normal control group. In the multiple regression analysis, having CD predicted 10% of the variance in cortisol levels. Conclusions: Morning plasma cortisol levels were significantly diminished i n adolescent girls with CD. Decreased cortisol levels appear to be most str ongly associated with antisocial girls who do not have other psychiatric di sorders.