Neurobiological Disturbances in Youth with Childhood Trauma and in Youth with Conduct Disorder (From Trauma and Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Research, and Interventions, P 149-174, 2002, Ricky Greenwald, ed., -- See NCJ-198433)

• NCJ Number: 198440
• Author(s): Deborah S. Lipschitz; Charles A. Morgan III; Steven M. Southwick
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter discusses neurobiological mechanisms associated with disordered arousal in traumatized youth and in youth with conduct disorder/juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

Traditional measures of disordered arousal are cortisol levels at baseline and in response to stress (Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal axis function); psychophysiological indices of arousal (heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductance) at baseline; and measures of central and peripheral catecholamine activity (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and their metabolites). There are very few studies of disturbances in arousal-regulating mechanisms in traumatized children. Based on the few studies published so far, traumatized children can have a variety of disturbances in their Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis and psychophysiological functioning. Compared to healthy children, they might show an altered diurnal pattern in their cortisol production and an altered responsiveness of cortisol production to relatively minor external stresses. There appear to be at least two groups or subtypes of traumatized youngsters: those with high autonomic responsiveness and those with reduced autonomic responsiveness. In one clinical response, the child is hypervigilant, on guard, fearful, and anxious. In the other, the child withdraws, dissociates, and becomes numb and depressed. Reasons for the different biological subtypes could include hereditary factors and childhood temperament, age and gender of the child, type and timing of the traumatic events, current symptoms of post-traumatic stress, amount and type of aggressive behavior exhibited by the child, and types of coping styles, as well as current psychosocial stressors or adversity. Gender might account for the variation in both clinical and physiological responses. It is recommended that investigators in future studies of neurobiological abnormalities in aggressive youth take into account histories of trauma and assess for post-traumatic stress symptoms in their subjects. 1 table, 94 references