Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Salivary cortisol responses to dexamethasone in adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder
Deborah S Lipschitz1, Ann M Rasmusson, Rachel Yehuda
1Yale University School of Medicine, 100 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. deborah.lipschitz@yale.edu
Objective:
Previous studies of adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have found various abnormalities in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, including enhanced suppression of cortisol following low-dose dexamethasone. The purpose of the present study was to investigate salivary cortisol responses to low-dose dexamethasone in adolescents with PTSD.
Method:
Forty-eight adolescents (20 with current PTSD, 9 trauma controls without PTSD, and 19 healthy nontraumatized controls) were enrolled in the study. On day 1, baseline saliva samples were obtained at 8 a.m. and 0.5 mg of dexamethasone was administered at 11 p.m. Cortisol and dexamethasone levels were assessed at 8 a.m. the following day.
Results:
Adolescents with current PTSD showed no difference in the suppression of salivary cortisol in response to low-dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone compared to trauma controls without PTSD and nontraumatized controls. More severely affected PTSD subjects with co-occurring major depression showed higher pre- and post-dexamethasone salivary cortisol levels compared to controls.
Conclusions:
The present study did not find evidence for enhanced suppression of salivary cortisol at 8 a.m. following low-dose dexamethasone in multiply traumatized adolescents with PTSD. This result differs from findings in adults with PTSD. Further investigations of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities in traumatized children and adolescents are needed.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Psychological Responses to Stress
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

