Normalized Cortisol Reactivity Predicts Future Neuropsychological Functioning in Children With Mild/Moderate Asthma

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neuropsychology
• Pediatric Asthma Research

Background:

• Cortisol reactivity to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is linked to cognitive functions in children with asthma.
• Understanding neuroendocrine functioning is crucial for assessing current well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the predictive relationship between cortisol reactivity (traditional and normalized measures) and subsequent attention and memory in children with asthma.
• To explore the utility of an alternative normalized cortisol reactivity measure.

Main Methods:

• Utilized prospective data from the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP).
• Assessed cortisol reactivity via plasma cortisol concentrations at baseline and 30 minutes post-ACTH challenge.
• Developed and applied a normalized cortisol reactivity measure (CORT_NORM-ACTH).
• Evaluated neuropsychological functioning (attention, memory) at a 3-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Baseline cortisol positively predicted attention at year 3.
• Normalized cortisol reactivity negatively predicted attention at year 3.
• ACTH-stimulated cortisol at year 1 positively predicted memory at year 3.
• Normalized cortisol reactivity at year 1 negatively predicted sustained attention at year 3.

Conclusions:

• Cortisol reactivity, including normalized measures, can predict future neuropsychological functioning in children with mild to moderate asthma.
• Findings support the HPA axis's role in cognitive development within this population.